The present invention relates to a protection device for sports gloves, particularly adapted for motorcycling, but also for karting, for motor racing, for cycling, for horse riding, for skating, for skiing etc.

Such protection devices for sports gloves are adapted to protect the hands and the knuckles of the user, in the event of falls or of accidents, from impact and from scraping against the ground, in particular from scraping against asphalt.

Nowadays it is known to stably associate protection devices, or knuckle guards, with sports gloves at the knuckles of the index finger, of the middle finger, of the ring finger and of the little finger; such protection devices are constituted by a single semirigid shell, preferably made of plastic material or of carbon or a sandwich of different materials, which is usually sewn to the soft fabric of the sports glove.

Nowadays substantially two types of protection devices for sports gloves are known, one for winter season and one for summer season: the winter protection devices are constituted by a single semirigid shell which is stably associated with the sports glove and which has a continuous outer surface with no holes, in order to keep the user's hands warm during the low winter temperatures and protect them from wind chill; the summer protection devices are constituted by a separate and single semirigid shell which is stably associated with the sports glove and which has an outer surface provided with openings, or air intakes, in order to ensure a comfortable ventilation of the user's hands during hot summer months.

One drawback that is found in the known art consists in that the user is forced to purchase two pairs of sports gloves, one that is stably associated with the protection device adapted for the winter season and one that is stably associated with the protection device adapted for the summer season, with a consequent doubling of costs; otherwise, if the user were to purchase only the pair of sports gloves that is stably associated with the winter protection device and use it in the summer season as well, then the user's hands would sweat excessively in the summer season, with consequent physical discomfort, while if the user were to purchase only the pair of sports gloves that is stably associated with the summer protection device and use it in the winter season as well, then the user's hands would be extremely cold during the winter season because the cold wind would work its way into the glove through the air intakes.

A further drawback consists in that in the event of wear or damage of the protection device owing to a fall or to an accident, the user would be forced to replace the entire sports glove, given that the conventional knuckle guards are stably associated with the fabrics that make up the sports glove.

The aim of the present invention is to eliminate the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a single protection device for sports gloves that is comfortable for the user both in the winter season and in the summer season.

Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to obtain a protection device for sports gloves that is easily replaceable in the event of wear or of damage owing to a fall or to an accident, without requiring the substitution of the entire sports glove.

Another object of the invention is to provide a protection device for sports gloves that makes it possible to change the appearance of the sports glove without requiring the substitution of the entire sports glove.

Another object is to provide an invention that is structurally simple and of low cost and can be made with the usual conventional systems.

This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a protection device la, lb, lc, Id for sports gloves 2a, 2b for the right hand and for the left hand, characterized in that it comprisesa first, fixed half-shell 3a, 3b, used respectively for said right hand and for said left hand, made of substantially semirigid material, each one of which is adapted to be stably associated with the respective said sports glove 2a, 2b of said right hand and of said left hand in the region that affects the knuckles of the index finger, of the middle finger, of the ring finger and of the little finger, and on each one of which there are, at a first perimetric edge 4, 5, one or more grip means, and a second, removable half-shell 11a, l ib, which can be used both for said right hand and for said left hand, each one being provided with one or more engagement means arranged at a second perimetric edge 13, 14 thereof for removable and interchangeable coupling with said first half-shells 3a, 3b.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the detailed description of a particular but not exclusive embodiment thereof, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view from above of the protection devices of the right hand and of the left hand when they are associated, in the winter season, with a pair of sports gloves, for the right hand and for the left hand;

Figure 2 is a perspective view from above of the protection devices of the right hand and of the left hand when they are associated, in the summer season, with a pair of sports gloves, for the right hand and for the left hand;

Figure 3 is a perspective view from above of the protection devices of the right hand and of the left hand when they are partially associated, in the winter season, with a pair of sports gloves, for the right hand and for the left hand;

Figure 4 is a perspective view from above of the protection devices of the right hand and of the left hand when they are partially associated, in the summer season, with a pair of sports gloves, for the right hand and for the left hand;

Figure 5 is an exploded view of the protection device of the right hand and of the left hand in the winter season;

Figure 6 is an exploded view of the protection device of the right hand and of the left hand in the summer season;

Figure 7 is a view from above of the protection devices of the right hand and of the left hand in the winter season;

Figure 8 is a view from above of the protection devices of the right hand and of the left hand in the summer season.

In the embodiments that follow, individual characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other embodiments.

Moreover, it should be noted that anything found to be already known during the patenting process is understood not to be claimed and to be the subject of a disclaimer.

With reference to the figures, the reference numerals la, lb, lc, Id generally designate a protection device for a sports glove 2a, 2b, particularly adapted for motorcycling, but also for karting, for motor racing, for cycling, for horse riding, for skating, for skiing etc.

In particular, in the embodiments shown in the figures the reference numeral la generally designates the protection device of the right hand applied in the winter version of the glove, the reference numeral lb the protection device of the left hand applied in the winter version of the glove, the reference numeral 1 c the protection device of the left hand applied in the summer version of the glove, the reference numeral Id the protection device of the left hand applied in the summer version of the glove, the reference numeral 2a the sports glove that can be worn on the right hand, and the reference numeral 2b the sports glove that can be worn on the left hand.

The protection device la, lb, lc, Id comprises a first half-shell 3a, 3b, respectively for the right hand and for the left hand, made of substantially semirigid material, which is adapted to be stably associated, i.e. in a fixed manner, with the respective sports glove 2a, 2b of the right hand and of the left hand, in the region that affects the knuckles of the index finger, of the middle finger, of the ring finger and of the little finger, and which has a shape that is substantially such as to cover these knuckles and therefore presents a shape that is substantially irregularly elliptical in plan view. Each first perimetric edge 4, 5 of each first half-shell 3a, 3b has a shape that is substantially mirror-symmetrical with respect to its major axis.

The first perimetric edge 4 of the first half-shell 3 a of the right hand furthermore has a shape that is mirror-symmetrical to the first perimetric edge 5 of the first half-shell 3b of the left hand.

Each right-hand and left-hand first half-shell 3a, 3b is stably associated, for example by way of stitching, with the respective right-hand and left-hand sports glove 2a, 2b so that the larger region of each half-shell 3 a, 3b is positioned at or proximate to the knuckles of the index finger and of the middle finger and the smaller region of each right-hand and left-hand half- shell 3 a, 3b is positioned at or proximate to the knuckles of the ring finger and of the little finger.

Each first, fixed half-shell 3 a, 3b comprises one or more grip means which are provided at the respective first perimetric edge 4, 5 thereof.

The grip means comprise one or more first seats 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h which are provided at each first upper perimetric edge 4a, 5a of each first half-shell 3 a, 3b and at each first lower perimetric edge 4b, 5b of each first half-shell 3a, 3b.

The positioning and the shape of the first seats 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d provided at each first upper perimetric edge 4a, 5a are advantageously mirror- symmetrical, with respect to the major axis of the first half-shell 3a, 3b to which they belong, with respect to the positioning and shape of the first seats 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h which are provided at each first lower perimetric edge 4b, 5b.

The grip means comprise a first perimetric tab 7 a, 7b which protrude above and beyond the first perimetric edge 4, 5 of each first half-shell 3a, 3b so as to define a receptacle 8a, 8b for a second half-shell 11a, l ib, which is described below.

The outer perimetric edge of each first perimetric tab 7 a, 7b may or may not have a shape that is substantially mirror-symmetrical with respect to its major axis. The outer perimetric edge of the first perimetric tab 7 a of the first half shell 3a of the right hand may or may not have a shape that is mirror- symmetrical to the outer perimetric edge of the first perimetric tab 7b of the first half-shell 3b of the left hand.

Each first half-shell 3a, 3b comprises one or more openings 9a, 9b, 9c, or air intakes, which are provided proximate to the first upper perimetric edge 4a, 5a of each first half-shell 3a, 3b, respectively between the knuckle of the index finger and the knuckle of the middle finger, between the knuckle of the middle finger and the knuckle of the ring finger, and between the knuckle of the ring finger and the knuckle of the little finger.

The grip means comprise two second seats 10a, 10b which are provided at the first lateral perimetric edges 4c, 5c of each first half-shell 3a, 3b, and at the major axis of its first half-shell 3a, 3b.

The protection device la, lb, lc, Id comprises a second half-shell 11a, l ib, for the right hand and/or for the left hand, made of substantially semirigid material, which is adapted to be detachably associated with the respective right-hand or left-hand first half-shell 3a, 3b, and which has a shape in plan view that is substantially elliptical, with an irregular plan, and substantially equal to the shape that the respective first half-shell 3a, 3b assumes at the first perimetric edge 4, 5.

Each second half-shell 11a, l ib has a shape that is substantially mirror- symmetrical with respect to its major axis.

The second half-shell 11a furthermore has a shape that is mirror- symmetrical to the second half-shell l ib.

Advantageously, four reinforcement elements 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d protrude from the upper surface of each second half-shell 11a, l ib and are respectively positioned at the region that affects the knuckle of the index finger, the knuckle of the middle finger, the knuckle of the ring finger and the knuckle of the little finger.

Each second half-shell 11a, l ib is provided with one or more engagement means arranged at a respective second perimetric edge 13, 14 thereof for removable coupling with the grip means provided on the first half- shells 3 a, 3b.

The engagement means comprise one or more teeth 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f, 15g, 15h which protrude externally from the second perimetric edge 13, 14 of each second half-shell 11a, l ib.

The positioning and the shape of the teeth 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d which protrude beyond the respective, designated as upper, second perimetric edge 13a, 14a, are mirror-symmetrical, with respect to the major axis of the second half-shell 11a, l ib to which they belong, to the positioning and to the shape of the teeth 15e, 15f, 15g, 15h which protrude beyond the respective, designated as lower, second perimetric edge 13b, 14b.

The teeth 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f, 15g, 15h are shaped complementarity to the first seats 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h which are provided at the first half-shells 3a, 3b.

In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, each one of the teeth 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f, 15g, 15h is substantially L-shaped so as to define a first wing 16 which protrudes vertically downward and a second wing 17 which protrudes horizontally and externally from the reinforcement elements 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d of each second half-shell 11a, l ib.

In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, the second wing 16 of each tooth 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f, 15g, 15h is shaped complementarity to the first seats 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h which are provided at the first half-shells 3a, 3b for the detachable coupling between the second half-shells 11 , l ib and the first half-shells 3a, 3b.

On each one of the second, designated as lower, perimetric edges 13b, 14b, of each one of the second half-shells 11a, l ib, there are three recesses 18a, 18b, 18c which are provided respectively between the reinforcement element 12a of the knuckle of the index finger and the reinforcement element 12b of the knuckle of the middle finger, between the reinforcement element 12b of the knuckle of the middle finger and the reinforcement element 12c of the knuckle of the ring finger, between the reinforcement element 12c of the knuckle of the ring finger and the reinforcement element 12d of the knuckle of the little finger.

The recesses 18a, 18b, 18c, which are provided on the second half- shells 11a, l ib, have the same shape as the openings 9a, 9b, 9c, or air intakes, which are provided on the first half-shells 3a, 3b.

Each second half-shell 11a, l ib comprises at least two centering and temporary locking means which aid the removable coupling thereof with the first half-shells 3a, 3b.

The centering and temporary locking means comprise two second tabs 19a, 19b which protrude externally from the second lateral perimetric edges 13c, 14c of each second half-shell 11a, 1 lb, at the major axis thereof, for the detachable coupling with the second seats 10a, 10b provided at each first half-shell 3 a, 3b, in order to aid the centering and the coupling of the second half-shells 11a, l ib with the first half-shells 3a, 3b.

The second tabs 19a, 19b are shaped complementarily to the second seats 10a, 10b provided on each first half-shell 3a, 3b.

In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, each one of the second tabs 19a, 19b is substantially L-shaped so as to define a third wing 20 which protrudes vertically downward and a fourth wing 21 which protrudes horizontally and externally from the respective second half-shell 11a, l ib.

In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, the fourth wing 21 of each second tab 9a, 9b is shaped complementarily to the second seats 10a, 10b provided at the first half-shells 3a, 3b for the centering and the detachable coupling between the second half-shells 11a, l ib and the first half-shells 3 a, 3b.

The portions of the second perimetric edges 13, 14 of the second half- shells 11a, l ib that are not affected by the engagement, centering and temporary locking means can be positioned at the respective receptacle 8a, 8b of the first half-shell 3 a, 3b.

Use of the protection device la, lb for sports gloves 2a, 2b for the right hand and for the left hand in the winter season, as illustrated in Figures 1, 3, 5 and 7, is as follows: the user associates the second half-shells 11a, l ib with the first half-shells 3a, 3b, coupling the grip means of each first half-shell 3a, 3b with the engagement means of each second half-shell 1 la, 1 lb, so that the recesses 18a, 18b, 18c of each second half-shell 11a, l ib are positioned at the first lower edge 4b of the respective first half-shell 3a, 3b, which is previously stably coupled to the respective right-hand or left-hand sports glove 2a, 2b, and therefore so that the second openings 9a, 9b, 9c of each first half-shell 3 a, 3b are closed off by the superimposition of the second half-shell 11a, l ib.

Use of the protection device lc, Id for sports gloves 2a, 2b for the right hand and for the left hand in the summer season, as illustrated in Figures 2, 4, 6 and 8, is as follows: this time the user couples the same second half-shells 11a, l ib that they used in the winter season to the first half-shells 3a, 3b which are stably associated respectively with the right-hand sports glove 2a and with the left-hand sports glove 2b, so that the recesses 18a, 18b, 18c of each second half-shell 11a, l ib are positioned at the second openings 9a, 9b, 9c of each first half-shell 3a, 3b, so that they act as air intakes for each sports glove 2a, 2b, thus ensuring an optimal ventilation of the sports glove 2a, 2b during the summer season.

Basically, the user in the winter season needs simply to associate the second half-shell 11a with the first half-shell 3a which is stably associated with the sports glove 2a for the right hand and to associate the second half shell l ib with the first half-shell 3b which is stably associated with the sports glove 2b for the left hand, while in the summer season the user needs to associate the second half-shell 11a, rotated through 180 degrees with respect to how it is positioned in the winter season, with the first half-shell 3b which is stably associated with the sports glove 2b for the left hand and to associate the second half-shell l ib, rotated through 180 degrees with respect to how it is positioned in the winter season, with the first half-shell 3a which is stably associated with the sports glove 2a for the right hand.

Thus it has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects, a protection device la, lb, lc, Id having been obtained that, using a single pair of sports gloves 2a, 2b, a single pair of first half-shells 3 a, 3b and a single pair of second half-shells 11a, l ib, makes it possible to protect the right hand and the left hand, both in the winter season and in the summer season, in a way that is comfortable for the user; in fact during the winter season the user associates the second half-shells 11a, l ib with the first half-shells 3a, 3b so that the second openings 9a, 9b, 9c of each first half shell 3a, 3b are closed off with the superimposition of the respective second half-shell 11a, l ib, thus sheltering it from the cold winter winds, while in the summer season the user associates the second half-shells 11a, l ib with the first half-shells 3a, 3b, so that the recesses 18a, 18b, 18c of each second half shell 11a, l ib are positioned at the second openings 9a, 9b, 9c of each first half-shell 3a, 3b, so that they act as air intakes for each sports glove 2a, 2b, thus ensuring an optimal ventilation of the sports glove 2a, 2b during the summer season.

Such object is achieved by virtue of the fact that the second half-shells 11a, l ib can be temporarily coupled to the first half-shells 3a, 3b in an interchangeable manner thanks to the presence and interaction between the engagement means with which the second half-shells 11a, l ib are provided and the second grip means provided on the first half-shells 3a, 3b.

The interchangeability of the coupling of the second half-shells 11a, 1 lb to the first half-shells 3a, 3b is due to the fact that the first half-shells 3a, 3b and the second half-shells 11a, l ib have a shape in plan view that is substantially irregularly elliptical, and is mirror-symmetrical with respect to its major axis, to the fact that the first half-shell 3a of the right hand has a shape that is mirror-symmetrical to the first half-shell 3b of the left hand, and to the fact that the second half-shell 1 la of the right hand has a shape that is mirror-symmetrical to the second half-shell 1 lb of the left hand.

It has furthermore been found that the protection device la, lb, lc, Id for sports gloves 2a, 2b is easily replaceable in the event of wear or of damage owing to a fall or to an accident, without requiring the replacement of the entire sports glove 2a, 2b, but by substituting only the second half-shell 11a or l ib that was worn or damaged by the fall or by the accident, with a consequent saving of costs for the user.

It has furthermore been found that the protection device la, lb, lc, Id for sports gloves 2a, 2b makes it possible to change the appearance thereof without requiring the replacement of the entire sports glove 2a, 2b, but simply by substituting the second half-shells 11a, l ib with other half-shells that have, for example, a different color tone or finish or aesthetic appearance.

Finally, it has been shown that the protection device la, lb, lc, Id for sports gloves 2a, 2b enables a significant saving of costs for the user in that they use a single pair of sports gloves 2a, 2b, a single pair of first half-shells 3a, 3b and a single pair of second half-shells 11a, l ib, comfortably adapted both in the winter season and in the summer season.

The invention is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

Naturally the materials used as well as the dimensions of the individual components of the device according to the invention may be more relevant according to specific requirements.

The characteristics indicated above as advantageous, convenient or the like, may also be missing or be substituted by equivalent characteristics.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102019000007145 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference. Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.