GB2576350A

GB2576350A - Sports glove

Info

Publication number: GB2576350A
Application number: GB1813369.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nauman Sadiq
Original assignee: Sva Global Ventures Ltd
Current assignee: Sva Global Ventures Ltd
Priority date: 2018-08-16
Filing date: 2018-08-16
Publication date: 2020-02-19
Also published as: GB201813369D0

Abstract

A glove 100, 200 for use in sports, exercise or training comprises a glove body 12 for receiving a wearer’s hand, the glove comprising a first surface 120, 220 and a second surface 150, 250, digital portion 10, 20 for receiving the fingers and thumb portion 105, 205; the glove being reversible and wearable on either hand such that e.g. the first surface 120 might be in contact with the palm or in contact with the dorsal region; the first and second surface each comprising at least one surface feature 155, 255. The surface features may be the same on each surface or they may be different- they may provide functions such as grip, cushioning, moisture absorption etc. The glove may comprise regions of increased flexibility between the thumb and digital regions and the glove body, for example having material of reduced thickness or a gap in surface features. In use the gloves may therefore allow different functionality based on which way around they are worn, or to allow a fresh set of absorbent pads on the palms when one set has become saturated.

Description

-1 SPORTS GLOVE

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a glove, and in particular to a sports glove, such as a gym glove.

Background of the Invention

The use of a glove for sporting activities including weightlifting, bodybuilding, pullups, sparring or boxing, exercise classes, rowing, cycling, golfing, and for other general fitness activities, etc., is well known. The glove is worn to protect the user’s hand during the activity and/or to aid the user’s grip on the sporting equipment being used and/or to absorb moisture, such as perspiration.

Existing sports gloves are provided in pairs, with one glove designed to be worn on the left hand and the other glove designed to be worn on the right hand. Depending on the type of sport for which the glove is designed, the configuration of each glove may differ from that of another glove for a different sport.

Due to their single-handed configuration, existing gloves impose various inconveniences upon the user. For instance, a glove might accidentally be placed on the wrong hand, thereby requiring the user to remove and re-orient the glove onto the intended hand. Furthermore, since existing gym gloves may only be worn in one particular orientation, they may only be suitable for purposes which are appropriate for the configuration of the palm side of the glove. If gloves are desired which are suited to a different purpose or have different properties such as improved grip and/or padding, a different pair of gloves must be purchased and carried by the user. Furthermore, if a single glove becomes worn out and/or unusable, loses effectiveness, or is lost, it is necessary to purchase a new pair of gloves just to replace the single worn or lost glove. Still further, if the gloves become saturated with perspiration on one side during physical activity, for example on the palm side if the user, e.g., wipes perspiration from their face with the palm side of the glove, then the glove may become uncomfortable and chafe the wearer, hence increasing the likelihood of blistering or forming calluses or the like. If this occurs, the user must either continue the activity in discomfort, or cease the activity and switch to a new pair of gloves.

Therefore there remains a need for a glove, particularly a sports glove, which overcomes or alleviates one or more of the above problems.

-2Summary of the Invention

In accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a glove for sporting use, comprising: a glove body for receiving a hand of a person, the glove body comprising a dorsal surface and a palmar surface; a digital portion for receiving the fingers of the hand; a thumb portion for receiving a thumb of the hand; at least one surface feature provided on the dorsal surface; and at least one surface feature provided on the palmar surface; wherein the glove is configured such that it is wearable: with the dorsal surface covering the dorsum of the hand and the palmar surface covering the palm of the hand; and with the dorsal surface covering the palm of the hand and the palmar surface covering the dorsum of the hand. Thus there is provided an ambidextrous glove that can be worn on either the left or the right hand, since the glove is configured with surface features on both sides of the glove body and is configured to be worn on either hand. As discussed further in detail below, the configuration of the glove such that it can be worn with either the dorsal surface covering the dorsum of the hand or the palm of the hand (and thus the palmar surface covering either the palm or the dorsum of the hand respectively) can be achieved in many different ways, which are within the scope of the invention. For example, conventional gloves such as sports or gym gloves generally have a thumb portion that is preconfigured for receiving a thumb of a particular hand and may, for example, protrude from the palmar surface of the glove, i.e. the thumb portion is generally biased into a position for receiving only one of a left or right thumb. Likewise the digital portions may have a preconfigured or biased position or curvature towards the palmar side of the glove, for receiving only the fingers of the left or right hand. Still further, the dorsal portion of the glove body typically has a preconfigured outward curvature between the wrist portion and the digital portion so as to fit to the curvature of only one of a left or right hand. The embodiments of the present invention are distinguished over the prior art in that there is no preconfiguration or bias of the inventive glove into either a left or right handed position and the portions of the glove of embodiments of the present invention, particularly the thumb portion and/or the finger portions, are in a neutral or unbiased position, with sufficient flexibility to be able to flex into either a left or a right handed position in use.

In accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a glove for sporting use, comprising: a glove body for receiving a hand of a

-3person, the glove body comprising a dorsal surface and a palmar surface (150, 250) and generally defining a glove plane; a digital portion for receiving the fingers of the hand; a thumb portion for receiving a thumb of the hand; at least one surface feature provided on the dorsal surface; and at least one surface feature provided on the palmar surface; wherein: the glove is configured such that in its resting state, the digital portion and the thumb portion both lie substantially in the glove plane; and the glove is configured such that the digital portion and the thumb portion are flexible relative to the glove body in both directions out of the glove plane. As discussed above, having the thumb portion and the digital portion, in this embodiment, in a neutral position, i.e. in substantially the same plane as the glove body, enables the glove to be worn on a left hand, with the thumb and fingers of the user naturally flexing the thumb and digital portions towards one of the surfaces (dorsal or palmar) of the glove or worn on the right hand, with the thumb and fingers of the user naturally flexing the thumb and digital portions towards the other of the surfaces palmar or dorsal) of the glove. As the glove is provided with at least one surface feature on each of the dorsal and palmar surfaces, the wearer of the ambidextrous glove is provided with the function of those surface features (as discussed below), irrespective of the hand on which the wearer chooses to wear the glove.

It is to be noted that, although the terms “palmar” and “dorsal” are used throughout, these are not intended to be limiting as is clear from the discussion herein and rather are for aid of understanding and are relative terms. For example, if the palmar surface covers the palm of a wearer when the glove is worn on the left hand, then the palmar surface will instead cover the dorsum of a wearer if the glove is alternatively worn on the right hand. For ease of understanding, however, the surface will not be renamed but will continue to be referred to as the palmar surface. Clearly the terms are interchangeable and non-limiting and are relative to each other.

The glove may comprise a region of increased flexibility between the thumb portion and the glove body on each of the dorsal surface and the palmar surface, and/or a region of increased flexibility between the digital portion and the glove body on each of the dorsal surface and the palmar surface. This may improve the wearability of the glove on either hand, allowing the thumb and/or fingers of the wearer to flex comfortably and to conform the glove to whichever hand the user inserts into the glove without material resisting such flexure or bunching, etc. This may be achieved, for example, by the region(s) of increased flexibility comprising at least one of: a material with reduced

-4thickness compared with the glove body material; a material with increased flexibility compared with the glove body material; and a gap between surface features on the dorsal surface and/or the palmar surface, or any combination thereof. If, for example, the surface features are padding or cushioning then having a gap between these thicker regions will allow the glove to flex more in those regions without the padding and may provide a predefined flexure point for increased comfort.

The digital portion and/or the thumb portion may be integrally formed with the glove body, and they may be formed of a flexible and stretchy material, and the material may be breathable to allow moisture to wick away from the wearer. However in alternative arrangements, the digital portion and/or the thumb portion may be formed separately from and attached to the glove body, for example by stitching, adhesive or the like (or a combination thereof).

The surface feature(s) on either or both of the dorsal and palmar surface(s) may be secured to the relevant surface by at least one of: stitching and adhesive, or a combination thereof. Some surface features may be adhered to the relevant surface whilst others may be stitched, for example, depending on the material and/or function or purpose and/or location of the particular surface feature, or for ease of manufacture, etc.

The surface features on each of the dorsal and palmar surfaces may be in any suitable configuration and may comprise any suitable number of features. The surface features on the palmar surface may mirror or correspond with those on the dorsal surface or may differ, depending on what glove configuration is desired. For example, if the wearer wishes to be able to use a single glove (or pair of gloves) for two different activities, e.g. weightlifting and rowing, then the surface features on one (e.g. dorsal) surface of the glove could be configured for gripping a weights bar whereas the surface features on the opposite (e.g. palmar) surface of the glove could be configured to provide padding or cushioning as well as grip at different positions to the first surface. If a pair of gloves is desired, the second glove can be identical to the first glove or if two distinct sides of each glove are configured, then the second glove could be a mirror image of the first glove.

Thus the glove may comprise a plurality of surface features provided on the dorsal surface and/or a plurality of surface features provided on the palmar surface. The skilled person would understand that many different combinations of surface features on each side of the gloves are contemplated. The surface features may, for example, be

-5spaced apart on the respective (palmar or dorsal) surface. The surface features may, for example, be provided only at positions on the surface where modification of the glove material is required, for example to enhance gripping with the glove, to provide padding or cushioning to certain parts of the hand, to enable a wearer of the glove to absorb perspiration, such as from other parts of the body, etc. Any combination of these surface features is envisaged.

In some embodiments, both sides of the glove may be provided with substantially the same surface features, so a wearer can wear the glove without needing to determine which side should be adjacent the palm or dorsum. Thus the number of dorsal surface features provided on the dorsal surface may be the same as the number of palmar surface features provided on the palmar surface, and/or the position of each dorsal surface feature provided on the dorsal surface may be substantially the same as the position of each palmar surface feature provided on the palmar surface, and/or the size and/or shape of each dorsal surface feature provided on the dorsal surface may be substantially the same as the size and/or shape of each palmar surface feature provided on the palmar surface, and/or the material and/or function of each dorsal surface feature provided on the dorsal surface may be substantially the same as the material and/or function of each palmar surface feature provided on the palmar surface. This is further advantageous in that, if the wearer loses a single glove, only a single glove is required as a replacement, whereas conventional gloves are generally only sold as a pair. Still further, if the gloves become damp during use due to perspiration, the wearer can remove them and swap them to the other hands, thus presenting a drier surface to the equipment being used and therefore improved grip and cushioning, etc.

However in some embodiments it may be desirable for the palmar surface of the glove to have a different configuration of surface features than the dorsal surface of the glove. Therefore the number of dorsal surface features provided on the dorsal surface may be different than the number of palmar surface features provided on the palmar surface, and/or the position of at least one dorsal surface feature provided on the dorsal surface may be different to the position of each palmar surface feature provided on the palmar surface, and/or the size and/or shape of at least one dorsal surface feature provided on the dorsal surface may be different to the size and/or shape of each palmar surface feature provided on the palmar surface, and/or the material and/or function of at least one dorsal surface feature provided on the dorsal surface may be different to the

-6material and/or function of each palmar surface feature provided on the palmar surface.

The surface features on the dorsal surface and/or on the palmar surface may be any suitable configuration, depending, for example, on the intended purpose or function of the particular surface feature. The material of each dorsal surface feature and/or of each palmar surface feature may comprise any one or more of leather, suede, rubber, silicone, fabric, neoprene, lycra, foam, gel, and any combination thereof. There may be different surface features, e.g. formed of different materials, on a single surface of each glove, for example to provide combinations of functions such as improved grip plus padding. The function of each dorsal surface feature and/or of each palmar surface feature may comprise any one or more of padding, cushioning, gripping, absorbing moisture, or the like, and any combination thereof.

Surface features are generally provided so as to provide enhanced function when located over the palm of the wearer (such as grip, cushioning, etc.) and/or located over the dorsum of the wearer (such as padding/protection, moisture absorption for wiping perspiration, etc.). Additionally surface features may be provided elsewhere on the glove. For example, surface features may be provided on the digital portion to provide protection for knuckles, or the backs of the fingers, or the insides of fingers and the finger joints. Surface features may additionally or alternatively be provided at the ends of the digital portion, particularly where the digital portion comprises a plurality of finger portions, each finger portion for receiving at least one finger and being configured to separate that finger from at least one other finger of the hand. The surface features may be configured to provide increased elasticity encircling each finger, particularly when the digital portion comprises four finger portions, each finger portion for receiving one finger and being configured to separate that finger from each adjacent finger of the hand. The additional elasticity around each finger at the end of the digital portion helps grip the finger and keep the glove in the correct position on the hand. Additional surface feature(s) may be provided at the end of each finger portion, such as protruding tabs. Such tabs (provided on one, or two or more finger portion ends) provide a protruding surface for the user to grip and to pull the glove from the hand, thus aiding removal of each glove.

The glove may comprise additional features to secure the glove to the wearer, for example the glove may comprise an adjustable wrist strap for securing the wrist of the hand, the wrist strap being configured to be securely fastened across a dorsal wrist

-7portion surface or a palmar wrist surface portion. Namely the wrist strap is neutrally located and configured such that it can be fastened, for example with a hook and loop type fastening arrangement, irrespective of whether the glove is worn on a wearer’s left or right hand.

It will be appreciated that the glove or gloves of the present invention may be configured in many different ways depending on the desired use or uses of the gloves. By way of example only, embodiments of the present invention will be described below for illustration purposes.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a pair of gym gloves, in accordance with embodiments of the invention, in a first orientation showing a palmar side of a first glove and a dorsal side of a second glove;

Figure 2 illustrates the gloves of Figure 1, with the first glove overturned to show the dorsal side of the first glove;

Figure 3 illustrates the gloves of Figure 1, with the second glove also overturned to show the palmar side of the second glove;

Figure 4 illustrates one of the gloves of Figure 1 being worn on the right hand of a user, such that the palmar surface of the glove covers the dorsum of the hand, and the dorsal surface of the glove covers the palm of the hand;

Figure 5 illustrates the glove of Figure 5, still on the right hand of a user as in Figure 4, but viewed from the other side (i.e. the user’s palm-side);

Figure 6 illustrates the same glove as Figures 4 and 5, but being worn on the left hand of a user, such that the palmar surface of the glove covers the palm of the hand, and the dorsal surface of the glove covers the dorsum of the hand; and

Figure 7 illustrates the glove of Figure 6, still on the left hand of a user as in Figure 6, but viewed from the other side (i.e. the user’s dorsum-side).

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

Referring to the figures, there is shown a pair of sports gloves 100, 200, suitable for use in many activities such as outdoor or indoor sports and gym use, etc.. The

-8gloves 100, 200 are designed and configured to protect and aid the hands of a wearer during a variety of sports or other recreational activities including, but not limited to, weightlifting, rowing, cycling, cross-training, cross-fit, bodybuilding, powerlifting, deadlifting, pull-ups, golfing, etc.. The pair of gym gloves 100, 200 as shown in all of the figures comprises, in this particular example, a first glove 100 and a second glove 200. The convention of a first glove and a second glove here could be applied the other way round and is clearly non-limiting. The gloves may be manufactured and sold as a pair and/or individually.

Each gym glove 100, 200 comprises a glove body 12, 22 for receiving the hand of a person, the glove body comprising a first side 120, 220, referred to previously and afterwards as a “palmar” side or surface (although this is non-limiting and for ease of reference only) and a second side 150, 250, referred to previously and afterwards as a “dorsal” side or surface (although this, again, is non-limiting and for ease of reference only). As discussed herein, the gloves 100, 200 are ambidextrous, being configured for wear on both a user’s left and right hand, depending on the preference of the user when putting the gloves on each hand. The glove material may comprise any suitable material such as lycra, neoprene, or other elastic materials, etc.

The gloves 100, 200 each comprise a digital portion 10, 20 and, in this arrangement, there is provided a finger portion 101, 201, 102, 202, 103, 203, 104, 204 for each of the four fingers 31, 32, 33, 34 of the wearer’s hand. There is also a thumb portion 105, 205 for the thumb 35. The thumb portion 105, 205 and the digital portion 10, 20 are in a substantially neutral position between the palmar side 120, 220 and the dorsal side 150, 250 of the glove 100, 200, as best seen in Figure 1 with reference to the plane of the glove X-Y. Namely the digital portion 10, 20 lies in the same plane X-Y as the glove body 12, as does the thumb portion 105, 205. Thus the thumb portion 105, 205 and the digital portion 10, 20 is each centrally positioned between the palmar and dorsal sides, without any significant bias towards either the palmar or the dorsal side (i.e. without and preconfigure flexion of these portions in the Z direction. This helps the ambidextrous gloves 100, 200 to fit comfortably on either hand.

In some arrangements, at least one, and in some arrangements, all, of the finger portion(s) may extend to cover the corresponding finger in its entirety. However in the illustrated embodiment, the gloves 100, 200 are a “fingerless” style, with the finger portions 101, 201, 102, 202, 103, 203, 104, 204 configured to cover the fingers 31, 32,

-933, 34 only up (and including) to the middle knuckle of the fingers. As can be seen in Figure 1, elasticated surface features are provided at the ends of the finger portions 101, 201, 102, 202, 103, 203, 104, 204 and the thumb portion 105, 205 to help grip the gloves 100, 200 when worn and to keep them located in the correct place.

The gloves 100, 200 also have a wrist portion 110, 210. In this arrangement, a neutrally located wrist strap is provided that encloses an opening once the glove 100, 200 is in place on the hand, in a conventional manner. However, it should be noted that the wrist strap being neutrally located is not conventional and is configured in accordance with inventive aspects of the present invention to be useable whether each glove 100, 200 is worn on a user’s left or right hand. When the glove 100, 200 is in use, a hand and wrist are received in the glove body 12, the fingers 31, 32, 33, 34 being received by the finger portions 101, 102, 103, 104, 201, 202, 203, 204, the thumb 35 being received by the thumb portion 105, 205, and the wrist being received by the wrist portion 110, 210.

As illustrated, the gloves 100, 200 each have at least one surface feature 125A-E, 155A-C, 225A-E, 255A-C on each side or surface 120, 150, 220, 250 of the glove 100, 200. The at least one surface feature may be selected to improve grip, provide padding, provide cushioning, to absorb moisture or to or otherwise assist in performing an activity. For example as shown in Figure 1, the first glove 100 has padding or cushioning 125B-D covering the palm of the user (if worn on the user’s right hand) and additional padding or cushioning 125E covering the lower part of the inside of the fingers 31, 32, 33, 34 of the user (again if worn on the right hand). This padding 125A-E helps protect the wearer from sores, blisters or calluses that might otherwise form with repeated activities, particularly when gripping sports equipment such as weights bars, (handle) bars, golf clubs, etc. The padding 125A-E may comprise suede, or may be gel or foam cushioning, or any other suitable padding material. The padding 125A-E may additionally or alternatively comprise a material that enhances gripping, such as leather, rubber, silicone, or other friction-enhancing material, to help improve the grip of the user on the equipment being used.

Thus each surface feature 125A-E, 155A-C, 225A-E, 255A-C may have predetermined properties which can assist in athletic activity, such as a predetermined thickness, flexibility, material, texture, stretch, or shape. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in all the figures, each glove 100, 200 has a first set of surface features 125,

- IQ225 on its palmar side 120, 220 and a second set of surface features 155, 255 on its dorsal side 150, 250. This enables the opposite sides of the gloves to be configured with different properties, for example to be suitable for use in different activities. As shown in the figures, the first set of surface features 125A-E on the palmar side 120 of the first glove 100 comprises five individual surface features 125A, 125B, 125C, 125D, and 125E and the second set of surface features 155A-C on the second side 150 of the glove 100 comprises three individual surface features 255A, 255B, 255C. It will be appreciated that fewer or more individual surface features may be present on each side, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.

In some embodiments, each set of surface features may include a plurality of individual surface features having substantially the same properties as the other surface features within that same set. For example, a set of surface features 125, 255 may include individual surface features comprising the same materials as one another. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the first set of surface features 125, 225 may comprise padded material, and the second set of surface features 155, 255 may comprise material such as leather or rubber or silicone for an improved grip.

In some embodiments, each set of surface features may include individual surface features having different properties from other individual surface features within that same set. For example, a set of surface features 125, 255 may include individual surface features on that same side of the glove having different shapes from one another. Each surface feature may be substantially separated from the other surface features within the same set. This allows the glove to bend along the separation, or otherwise provide improved flexibility along the separation.

Other surface features are provided on the gloves 100, 200 to aid in their use. As best seen in Figure 7, finger portions 202, 203 of the second glove 200 have protruding tabs, which enable the user to grasp them with the other hand to help pull the glove 200 off the hand. These tabs of course could be provided on any one or more of the finger portions 101, 102, 103, 104, 201, 202, 203, 204 and/or the thumb portion 105, 205 of either globe 100, 200.

As discussed at length in the present application, the gloves 100, 200 disclosed herein are ambidextrous in that each glove 100, 200 can be worn and is configured to be worn on both hands of a wearer, depending on the requirements of the wearer. Namely the gloves 100, 200 are configured to be work such that each surface 120, 150, 220, 250

-11 of the glove 100, 200 may be oriented to cover either the palm side or dorsum side of a hand. This ambidextrous configuration is assisted by the neutral position and configuration of the portions of the glove 100, 200, particularly the thumb portion 105, 205 and the digital portion 10, 20 and the lack of any significant shaping of the glove 100, 200 that would otherwise conform it to only one hand of a user. Figures 4 to 7 demonstrate the ambidextrous nature of the second glove 100, showing the glove 200 being worn on the right hand of a user (Figures 4 and 5) and on the left hand of a user (Figures 6 and 7).

Figure 4 shows the second glove 200 being worn on the right hand of the user, wherein the palmar side 220 of the second glove 200 covers the dorsal side of the user’s right hand. As shown in Figure 5, when worn on the right hand as in Figure 4, the dorsal side 250 of the second glove 200 covers the palm side of the user’s hand.

The glove 200 may alternatively be turned over and worn on the left hand, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. When worn on the left hand as shown in Figure 6 and 7, the palmar side 220 of the second glove 200 covers the palm side of the user’s hand, while the dorsal side 250 of the second glove 200 covers the dorsal side of the user’s hand. Therefore, when worn on the left hand, the palmar and dorsal surfaces of the glove cover opposite sides of the hand than when worn on the right hand.

Although Figures 4-7 are depicted with respect to the second glove 200, a corresponding and complementary ambidextrous nature also exists for the first glove 100, as will be readily appreciated from Figures 1, 2 and 3.

The above embodiments are described by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

-12 CLAIMS

1. A glove (100, 200) for sporting use, comprising:

a glove body (12) for receiving a hand of a person, the glove body comprising a dorsal surface (120, 220) and a palmar surface (150, 250);

a digital portion (10, 20) for receiving the fingers (31, 32, 33, 34) of the hand;

a thumb portion (105, 205) for receiving a thumb (35) of the hand;

at least one surface feature (125A-E, 225A-E) provided on the dorsal surface (120, 220); and at least one surface feature (155A-C, 255A-C) provided on the palmar surface (150, 250);

wherein the glove (100, 200) is configured such that it is wearable:

with the dorsal surface (120, 220) covering the dorsum of the hand and the palmar surface (150, 250) covering the palm of the hand; and with the dorsal surface (120, 220) covering the palm of the hand and the palmar surface (150, 250) covering the dorsum of the hand.

2. The glove (100, 200) of claim 1, wherein the thumb portion (105, 205) is located in a substantially neutral position between the dorsal surface (120, 220) and the palmar surface (150, 250).

3. The glove (100, 200) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the digital portion (10 20) is located in a substantially neutral position between the dorsal surface (120, 220) and the palmar surface (150, 250).

4. The glove (100, 200) of any preceding claim, wherein the digital portion (10, 20) comprises a plurality of finger portions (101, 102, 103, 104, 201, 202, 203, 204), each finger portion for receiving at least one finger (31, 32, 33, 34) and being configured to separate that finger from at least one other finger (31, 32, 33, 34) of the hand.

5. The glove (100, 200) of claim 4, wherein the digital portion (10, 20) comprises four

-13finger portions (101, 102, 103, 104, 201, 202, 203, 204), each finger portion for receiving one finger (31, 32, 33, 34) and being configured to separate that finger from each adjacent finger (31, 32, 33, 34) of the hand.

6. The glove (100, 200) of any preceding claim, wherein:

the number of dorsal surface features (125A-E, 225A-E) provided on the dorsal surface (120, 220) is the same as the number of palmar surface features (155A-C, 255A-C) provided on the palmar surface (150, 250); or the number of dorsal surface features (125A-E, 225A-E) provided on the dorsal surface (120, 220) is different than the number of palmar surface features (155A-C, 255A-C) provided on the palmar surface (150, 250).

7. The glove (100, 200) of any preceding claim, wherein:

the position of each dorsal surface feature (125A-E, 225A-E) provided on the dorsal surface (120, 220) is substantially the same as the position of each palmar surface feature (155A-C, 255A-C) provided on the palmar surface (150, 250); or the position of at least one dorsal surface feature (125A-E, 225A-E) provided on the dorsal surface (120, 220) is different to the position of each palmar surface feature (155A-C, 255A-C) provided on the palmar surface (150, 250).

8. The glove (100, 200) of any preceding claim, wherein:

the size and/or shape of each dorsal surface feature (125A-E, 225A-E) provided on the dorsal surface (120, 220) is substantially the same as the size and/or shape of each palmar surface feature (155A-C, 255A-C) provided on the palmar surface (150, 250); or the size and/or shape of at least one dorsal surface feature (125A-E, 225A-E) provided on the dorsal surface (120, 220) is different to the size and/or shape of each palmar surface feature (155A-C, 255A-C) provided on the palmar surface (150, 250).

9. The glove (100, 200) of any preceding claim, wherein:

-14the material and/or function of each dorsal surface feature (125A-E, 225A-E) provided on the dorsal surface (120, 220) is substantially the same as the material and/or function of each palmar surface feature (155A-C, 255A-C) provided on the palmar surface (150, 250); or the material and/or function of at least one dorsal surface feature (125A-E, 225A-E) provided on the dorsal surface (120, 220) is different to the material and/or function of each palmar surface feature (155A-C, 255A-C) provided on the palmar surface (150, 250).

10. The glove (100, 200) of claim 9, wherein the material of each dorsal surface feature (125A-E, 225A-E) and/or of each palmar surface feature (155A-C, 255A-C) comprises any one or more of:

leather, suede, rubber, silicone, fabric, neoprene, lycra, foam, gel, and any combination thereof.

11. The glove (100, 200) of claim 9, wherein the function of each dorsal surface feature (125A-E, 225A-E) and/or of each palmar surface feature (155A-C, 255A-C) comprises any one or more of:

padding, cushioning, gripping, absorbing moisture, and any combination thereof.

12. The glove (100, 200) of any preceding claim, comprising a plurality of surface features (125A-E, 225A-E) provided on the dorsal surface (120, 220) and/or a plurality of surface features (155A-C, 255A-C) provided on the palmar surface (150, 250).

13. The glove (100, 200) of claim 12, wherein the plurality of surface features (125AE, 155A-C, 225A-E, 255A-C) are spaced apart on the respective surface (120, 150, 220, 250).

14. The glove (100, 200) of any preceding claim, further comprising an adjustable wrist strap (110) for securing the wrist of the hand, the wrist strap configured to be securely fastened across a dorsal wrist portion surface or a palmar wrist surface

-15portion.

15. A glove (100, 200) for sporting use, comprising:

a glove body (12) for receiving a hand of a person, the glove body comprising a dorsal surface (120, 220) and a palmar surface (150, 250) and generally defining a glove plane (X, Y);

a thumb portion (105, 205) for receiving a thumb (35) of the hand;

wherein:

the glove (100, 200) is configured such that in its resting state, the digital portion and the thumb portion both lie substantially in the glove plane; and the glove is configured such that the digital portion and the thumb portion are flexible relative to the glove body in both directions relative to the glove plane.

16. The glove (100, 200) of claim 15, comprising a region of increased flexibility between the thumb portion (105, 205) and the glove body (12) on each of the dorsal surface (120, 220) and the palmar surface (150, 250), and/or a region of increased flexibility between the digital portion (10, 20) and the glove body (12) on each of the dorsal surface (120, 220) and the palmar surface (150, 250).

17. The glove (100, 200) of claim 16, wherein the region(s) of increased flexibility comprise at least one of:

a material with reduced thickness compared with the glove body material; a material with increased flexibility compared with the glove body material; and a gap between surface features on the dorsal surface (120, 220) and/or the palmar surface (150, 250).

18. The glove (100, 200) of any preceding claim, wherein the digital portion (10, 20)

-16and/or the thumb portion (105, 205) is integrally formed with the glove body (12).

19. The glove (100, 200) of any preceding claim, wherein the surface feature(s) (125A-E, 155A-C, 225A-E, 255A-C) are secured to the dorsal and/or palmar 5 surface(s) (120, 150, 220, 250) by at least one of: stitching and adhesive, or a combination thereof.