RELATED APPLICTION

This application claims the benefit of co-pending US Provisional Patent Application Serial Number 60/670,769 filed April 13, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

A protective hand glove, foot protector or knuckle protector made of an elastomeric material that provides protection to the tops of the hand, fingers, knuckles or soles of the foot for sports which require contact with those parts of the body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention is in the field of protective hand gloves or foot protectors that can be used for both sports activities or in a work situation. For sports these hand and foot protectors may be use for boxing or the martial arts. In industry and work environments, these protectors can be used to prevent abrasions, lacerations, blistering and impact injuries. The gloves protect the wear's hand as it strikes training targets or opponents. The foot protector shields the wearer's foot as it strikes training targets or opponents.

Traditionally boxing gloves contained a layer of padding. This padding is intended to be a protective cushion to prevent damage to the boxer's hand as he strikes training targets or another boxer. The padding is also used to prevent damage to the boxer's opponent when they are hit. The amount, type and quantity of padding vary from a small amount in the case of bag gloves, which merely protect the skin of the boxer's hand during training with

punching bags. A greater amount of larger and thicker padding is used for training gloves to maximize cushioning and to prevent damage. An intermediate amount of padding is used for gloves that are used in boxing matches. The composition of the padding is typically polyfoam, polyvinyl chloride closed cell and open cell layers and hair substances such as horsehair. Typical outer shell surface layer of the glove is a soft but durable vinyl or leather.

These types of gloves are expensive and in many training situations a relatively inexpensive glove, which provides good protection to the hand is desired. Common fmgerless gloves can be seen in US Patents 3,994,025 and 5,781 ,928. An example of a boxing glove can be seen in US Patent 5,781,928. In co-pending PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US 06/08874, designating the US, filed March 14, 2006 by M. Shelton; it is known to use combinations of styrenic blocked copolymers and oils to create fishing lures.

In boxing with bag training, both heavy and speed, the person doing the training often wraps their hand for protection. This is also done in the martial arts where both feet and hands are wrapped. This wrapping takes time. What is need is a protective hand glove or foot covering made of a resilient material, which offers good protection and is easy to put on and take off.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention is drawn to a protective hand glove made of an elastomeric composition, which comprises a mitten having an orifice in the bottom adapted for the engagement of a thumb. This mitten is made from a styrenic block copolymer and oil. The styrenic block copolymer and oil have a Shore 00 hardness of greater than or equal to 6.

The instant invention is also drawn to a foot protector of an elastomeric composition, which comprises a moccasin having an orifice in the top adapted for the engagement of a foot. This moccasin is made from a styrenic block copolymer and oil. The styrenic block copolymer and oil have a Shore 00 hardness of greater than or equal to 6.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing will become more readily apparent by referring to the following detailed description and the appended drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a top view of a protective hand glove.

Figure 2 is a bottom view of a protective hand glove.

Figure 3 is a rear view of a protective hand glove taken generally along lead lines 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a protective hand glove.

Figure 5 is a bottom view of an alternative embodiment of a protective hand glove.

Figure 6 is a rear view of an alternative embodiment of a protective hand glove taken generally along lead lines 6-6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a side view of a protective foot moccasin.

Figure 8 the top view of the protective foot moccasin.

Figure 9 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a protective foot moccasin.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention is drawn to a protective hand glove, foot protector or knuckle protector made of an elastomeric composition. This glove is to be used for training for boxing or the martial arts where the wearer's hand will come in contact with an opponent or a training target. The protective hand glove is comprised of a mitten 10, Figure 1, which has an

orifice 15, Figure 2, in the bottom 20 adapted for the engagement of a thumb. The mitten 10 in one embodiment has a top 25, a bottom 20, a closed finger end 30, an open wrist end 35, and an orifice 15 for the thumb. The open wrist end 35, Figure 3, has a hand orifice 40. The mitten is configured so that the thumb from either hand will fit through the thumb orifice 15. Each glove will fit on either the left or right hand.

In another embodiment, a knuckle protector is provided, Figure 4. The knuckle protector 45, Figure 4, is comprised of a first element 50 adapted to cover knuckles of a hand and a second element 55, Figure 5, affixed to the first element 50. The knuckle protector is worn so that the second element 55 is positioned high on the palm and adapted to secure the first element 50 to cover the knuckles and fore fingers of the hand. If the knuckle protector 45 is increased in size it can also be worn over the knee as a protective knee pad. This device could also be worn on the foot to provide a padded strike surface in martial art training applications.

In another embodiment the foot can also be protected by using a protective moccasin 60, Figure 7, made of the elastomeric material. This moccasin 60 has a top 65 and a bottom 70 with an orifice 75 into which the foot can be inserted. The moccasin 60 has a heel cover 80 but may also be configured without a heel 85 as shown by another embodiment 90, Figure 9. This moccasin can be worn with bare feet, socks or as a protective coving over one's shoes.

In one embodiment of the invention, the top 25 of the mitten 10 or the first element 50 of the knuckle protector 45 can be configured thicker than the bottom 20 or the second element 55. This configuration will provide additional protection to the knuckles, of the

wearer's hand. Additionally the moccasin 60 can be configured so that the bottom 70 has additional padding for protection of the foot.

The protective hand glove, foot protector or the knuckle protector in one embodiment is made of a blend of a styrenic blocked copolymer with an excess of oil. This composition gives the article unique padding properties. These compositions also act as a good insulator and can be used to keep feet and hands warm in cold conditions or cool in warm conditions. These gloves transmit more energy to the intended target than normal foam or horsehair padded gloves, while still providing sufficient protection to the wearer's hand. Additionally the glove, knuckle protector and foot protector can be slipped on and take off, in a faction of the time than would be required to properly wrap these areas for training.

This elastomeric composition maybe a mixture of a styrenic block copolymer and an oil. The styrenic block copolymers are thermoplastic elastomers. Their structure normally consists of a block of a rigid styrene on each end with a rubbery phase in the center. Styrenic block copolymers include, but are not limited to, SBS (styrene butadiene styrene), SIS (styrene-isoprene-styrene), SEPS (styrene ethylene/propylene styrene), SEBS (styrene ethylene/butylene styrene), and SEEPS (styrene ethylene/ethylene-propylene-styrene).

These styrenic block copolymers are commercially available from, for example, SEPTON Company of America, Pasadena, Texas and Kraton Polymers, Houston, Texas. Exemplary SEPTON (US) products include SEPTON 4055 (SEEPS), SEPTON 8006 (SEBS), and SEPTON 2006 (SEPS). Exemplary Kraton (US) products include KRATON 1651 (SEBS).

The copolymer component of the composition may comprise a single copolymer or a mixture of copolymers. If a single copolymer is used, SEBS works well, although other single copolymers could be used. If a mixture of copolymers is used, SEEPS and SEBS or SEPS/SEBS combinations work well. Elastomeric compositions made with SEBS alone provide good elastic and tear resistance properties, but mixtures may provide superior elastic and tear resistant properties. In the mixtures, in one embodiment the SEEPS component may be a major component. Exemplary copolymer component for a mixture formulation include 0-28% SEEPS, 0-28% SEBS, 0-28% SEPS, 0-28% SBS and 0-28% SIS.

The oil refers to a mineral oil. The oil is mixed with the styrenic block copolymer so that the oil is in excess of the styrenic block copolymer used. The oil used can have any viscosity. It has been found that the use of an oil, which has a viscosity from 1 - 120 cPs at 4O ⁰ C, works well in this application. Such oils are commercially available from, for example, Crompton Corporation (Witco Refined Products), Greenwich, Connecticut. Exemplary oils include: BLANDOL white mineral oil, and SEMTOL white mineral oil. It has been learned that use of two different oils, which each have a different viscosity can be used to reduce tack in the styrenic copolymer article. What is needed is to use an excess of oil with a lower viscosity to the oil with the greater viscosity.

The elastomeric compositions used in these protective hand gloves need to be both tear resistant and elastic. The compositions are not so soft as to be tacky or easily deformed. The elastomeric compositions can be stretched several times their original length. The compositions should be relatively soft, but provide plenty of protection to the wearer's hand. The elastomeric composition, in one embodiment, has a Shore OO hardness greater than or equal to 6. In another embodiment of the invention, the elastomeric composition has a Shore

OO hardness greater than or equal to 10. In another embodiment of the invention, the elastomeric composition has a Shore OO hardness greater than or equal to 15. hi another embodiment of the invention, the elastomeric composition has a Shore OO hardness greater than or equal to 20. While these composition may have an upper end of a Shore OO of 60 or greater, generally these compositions have an upper end of less than or equal to Shore OO of 35. It has been found that the styrenic block copolymer in the range of 20 to 35 Shore OO work well. A range of 15 to 35 Shore OO provides good results. The range of 6 to 20 Shore OO provides very good results. The Shore hardness is measured with an apparatus known as a Durometer and consequently is also known as 'Durometer hardness ¹ . The hardness value is determined by the penetration of the Durometer indenter foot into the sample. Because of the resilience of rubbers and plastics, the indentation reading my change over time - so the indentation time is sometimes reported along with the hardness number. The ASTM test method designation is ASTM D2240 OO and is generally used in North America. Related methods include ISO 7619 and ISO 868; DIN 53505; and JIS K 6301, which was discontinued and superseded by JIS K 6253. The results obtained from this test are a useful measure of relative resistance to indentation of various grades of polymers.

In order to obtain a composition, which has the desired Durometer readings the oil in the elastomeric composition is 72 to 88 % by weight of the elastomeric composition. The styrenic block copolymer makes up from 12 to 28% by weight of the elastomeric composition. It should be noted that this composition may contain up to 2% of other additives by weight.

Other additives that might be used are other conventional additives. Such additives include: UV-stabilizer, heat-stabilizer, pigments, dyes, and the like. An example of a heat

stabilizer or oxidation inhibitor is Endex 160 a hydrocarbon resin which is available from Eastman Chemical Company. An example of a UV-stabilizer is Tinuvin available from Ciba specialties chemicals. An example of an anti-oxidant is Mganox HP2215FF available from Ciba specialties chemicals.

In another embodiment of the invention the elastomeric composition may further comprise color. This color can be created from pigments, dyes, colorants, micas, glitter or other similar compounds used to impart color to a molded piece.

Examples

In the tables below are some examples of formulations for elastomeric compositions, which have a Shore OO durometer measurement in the range of 6 to 31.

In Example J 21% of oil A was mixed with 62% of oil B and 5% SEEPS and 17% SEBS to form 18.14 Kg of material which had a Shore OO durometer of 12.3. In this example, oil A had a higher viscosity than Oil B.