Sports glove with independently movable layer of protection

Abstract

A sports glove, such as a hockey or lacrosse glove, includes an inner glove and an outer protective layer positioned over the rear surface of the inner glove. The inner glove and the outer protective layer are attached to each other via a plurality of gussets or other connectors. The connectors generally are located along the perimeter or edge regions of the sports glove, such as at the distal ends of the finger sections, along the sides of the finger sections, along the edges of the wrist region, and so forth. The inner surface of the outer protective layer is not secured, or is substantially not secured, to the inner glove, such that a space or void is provided between the outer protective layer and the inner glove. As a result, the outer protective layer is movable independently of the inner glove.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sports glove, comprising:
 an inner glove, configured to fit closely on a wearer's hand, comprising a palm section and a rear section;   an outer protective layer positioned over the rear section and connected to edge regions of the inner glove such that a void is provided between an outer surface of the rear section and an inner surface of the outer protective layer.   
     
     
         2 . The sports glove of  claim 1 , wherein the outer protective layer is attached to the inner glove via a plurality of strips of material. 
     
     
         3 . The sports glove of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of strips are permanently or detachably attached to the inner glove. 
     
     
         4 . The sports glove of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of strips are attached to an outer edge of the palm section. 
     
     
         5 . The sports glove of  claim 2 , wherein the inner glove includes a plurality of finger sections, and wherein an end-strip of material is attached to a distal end of each of the finger sections. 
     
     
         6 . The sports glove of  claim 5 , wherein each of the end-strips comprises an inelastic portion at a tip region of the finger section, and an elastic portion at a side region of the finger section. 
     
     
         7 . The sports glove of  claim 1 , wherein the rear section and the palm section are connected to each other via a plurality of gussets. 
     
     
         8 . The sports glove of  claim 1 , wherein the outer protective layer comprises a plurality of rear pads. 
     
     
         9 . The sports glove of  claim 8 , wherein the outer protective layer further comprises a plurality of side pads. 
     
     
         10 . The sports glove of  claim 1 , wherein the rear section comprises a breathable material. 
     
     
         11 . The sports glove of  claim 1  wherein the inner glove includes a main region from which a plurality of finger sections extend, wherein the void resides between the inner surface of the outer protective layer and the main region, and between the inner surface of the outer protective layer and the finger sections. 
     
     
         12 . A sports glove, comprising:
 an inner glove comprising a palm section and a rear section; and   a padded, outer protective layer positioned over the rear section and movably connected to the inner glove such that the outer protective layer is movable relative to the inner glove.   
     
     
         13 . The sports glove of  claim 12 , wherein the outer protective layer is attached to the inner glove via a plurality of gussets. 
     
     
         14 . The sports glove of  claim 13 , wherein at least some of the gussets are attached to an outer edge of the palm section. 
     
     
         15 . The sports glove of  claim 13 , wherein a gusset is attached at the distal end of each finger section. 
     
     
         16 . The sports glove of  claim 12  wherein the inner glove includes a main region from which a plurality of finger sections extend, wherein a void resides between an inner surface of the outer protective layer and the main region, and between the inner surface of the outer protective layer and the finger sections. 
     
     
         17 . A sports glove, comprising:
 an inner glove comprising a palm section and a rear section;   an outer protective layer positioned over the rear section;   means for attaching the inner glove to the outer protective layer such that the outer protective layer is movable independently of the inner glove.   
     
     
         18 . The sports glove of  claim 17  wherein the inner glove includes a main region from which a plurality of finger sections extend. 
     
     
         19 . The sports glove of  claim 18  wherein a void resides between an inner surface of the outer protective layer and the main region. 
     
     
         20 . The sports glove of  claim 18  wherein a void resides between an inner surface of the outer protective layer and the finger sections.