Webbed Sports Gloves

Abstract

A narrow section of webbing is integrated into the construction of each of the two gloves in a pair, webbing that is positioned between the thumb and index finger of each glove. The flexible webbing allows for a full range motion for the thumb of the glove while providing an expanded catching surface between the thumb and index finger that was not previously available. When utilized alone or as a pair, the webbing on each of the two gloves provides a significantly increased catching surface for a ball that is received into the hands, especially between the two hands of the receiver. Various types of flexible materials may be used for the webbing and include stretchable net material and/or material that incorporates increased friction grip surfaces similar to the types of adherence materials already typically used on receiver's gloves.

1 . A pair of gloves for facilitating the handling of sports balls during the play of a sporting event or game, the pair of gloves comprising a right hand glove and a left hand glove, each of the gloves comprising:
 a glove body with a thumb member and a plurality of finger members;   a sheet of flexible material extending between the thumb member of the glove body and at least one of the finger members of the glove body; and   edge reinforcement elements positioned around the sheet of flexible material to secure the to the glove body and to provide a reinforced outer edge to the glove sheet of flexible material;   wherein an individual wearing the pair of gloves and holding the left hand proximate to the right hand forms an opening between the hands bordered by the sheets of flexible material in a manner that facilitates the catching of a sports ball between the hands.   
     
     
         2 . The pair of gloves of  claim 1  wherein the sheet of flexible material on each glove extends between the thumb member of the glove body and an index finger member of the glove body. 
     
     
         3 . The pair of gloves of  claim 2  wherein the sheet of flexible material on each glove comprises an inner attached edge connected to the glove body and an outer peripheral edge, the outer peripheral edge extending from a point on the thumb member of the glove body to a point on the index finger member of the glove body. 
     
     
         4 . The pair of gloves of  claim 3  wherein the outer peripheral edge of the sheet of flexible material extends from a point approximately mid-way along the thumb member of the glove body to a point approximately mid-way along the index finger member of the glove body. 
     
     
         5 . The pair of gloves of  claim 3  wherein the inner attached edge of the sheet of flexible material is sewn into a seam of the glove body between front and back panel sections of the glove body. 
     
     
         6 . The pair of gloves of  claim 1  wherein the sheet of flexible material on each glove comprises an open mesh material. 
     
     
         7 . The pair of gloves of  claim 1  wherein the sheet of flexible material on each glove comprises a closed surface material. 
     
     
         8 . The pair of gloves of  claim 7  wherein the sheet of flexible material on each glove further comprises one or more areas of friction grip surface materials. 
     
     
         9 . The pair of gloves of  claim 3  wherein the edge reinforcement elements on each glove comprise a first element extending along the inner attached edge connected to the glove body and a second element extending along the outer peripheral edge. 
     
     
         10 . The pair of gloves of  claim 9  wherein the inner attached edge of the sheet of flexible material and the first edge reinforcement element on each glove are together sewn into a seam of the glove body between front and back panel sections of the glove body. 
     
     
         11 . The pair of gloves of  claim 9  wherein the second edge reinforcement element on each glove comprises an edge cord integrated into the outer peripheral edge of the sheet of flexible material. 
     
     
         12 . The pair of gloves of  claim 11  wherein the edge cord on each glove comprises an elastic material. 
     
     
         13 . The pair of gloves of  claim 11  wherein the edge cord on each glove further comprises one or more areas of friction grip surface materials. 
     
     
         14 . The pair of gloves of  claim 9  wherein the second edge reinforcement element on each glove comprises an edge band sewn onto the outer peripheral edge of the sheet of flexible material. 
     
     
         15 . The pair of gloves of  claim 14  wherein the edge band on each glove comprises an elastic material. 
     
     
         16 . The pair of gloves of  claim 14  wherein the edge band on each glove further comprises one or more areas of friction grip surface materials. 
     
     
         17 . The pair of gloves of  claim 3  wherein the outer peripheral edge of the sheet of flexible material on each glove comprises a concave curved edge. 
     
     
         18 . The pair of gloves of  claim 1  wherein each of the gloves are structured as American football receiver's gloves.