Glove with Flexible Coating Layer

The present application claims the benefit of and priority to 63/667,919, filed on Jul. 5, 2024, and U.S. Application No. 63/652,385, filed May 28, 2024, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

The present disclosure is directed generally to the field of gloves. The present disclosure relates specifically to a glove, such as a work glove, with a coating layer designed to increase durability and improve flexibility when worn by a user.

One embodiment of the invention relates to a glove including a body and a coating layer. The body includes a palm side, a back side opposite the palm side, a palm portion located on the palm side, a plurality of finger portions, and a thumb portion. Each finger portion of the plurality of finger portions has a tip and a base opposite the tip. Each base is positioned along its respective finger portion closer to the palm portion than the tip is positioned to the palm portion. The coating layer is coupled to an outer surface of the palm side of the body along the palm portion, the palm side of the plurality of finger portions, and the palm side of the thumb portion. The coating layer includes a first coating thickness and a second coating thickness. The second coating thickness is defined by a plurality of grooves formed in the coating layer. A first set of grooves of the plurality of grooves is positioned at the respective base of each of the plurality of finger portions, and a second set of grooves of the plurality of grooves is positioned at a first bend region of each of the plurality of the finger portions. The first bend region of each of the plurality of finger portions corresponds to a knuckle of a user and extends from a first side of the respective finger portion to a second side of the respective finger portion opposite the first side. The first coating thickness is greater than the second coating thickness.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a work glove including a liner and a coating layer. The liner includes a palm side and a back side opposite the palm side. The liner defines a palm portion, a plurality of finger portions, and a thumb portion. Each finger portion of the plurality of finger portions includes a tip positioned along the finger portion furthest from the palm portion, a base opposite the tip, a first bend region located between the tip and the base, and a second bend region located between the first bend region and the base. The coating layer is coupled to an outer surface of the liner and defines a grip surface. The grip surface extends along the palm side of the liner on the palm portion, each finger portion of the plurality of finger portions, and the thumb portion. The grip surface includes a first thickness and a second thickness. The second thickness is defined by a plurality of ridges. Each finger portion of the plurality of finger portions includes a first set of ridges of the plurality of ridges located between the first bend region and the second bend region, and a second set of ridges of the plurality of ridges located between the second bend region and the base of the respective finger portion. The second thickness is greater than the first thickness.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a glove including a body and a coating layer. The body includes a palm side, a back side opposite the palm side, a palm portion located on the palm side, a thumb portion, and an index finger portion. The coating layer is coupled to an outer surface of the palm side of the body. The coating layer extends along the palm portion, the palm side of the index finger portion, and the palm side of the thumb portion. The coating layer defines a first thickness. A first plurality of ridges extends away from the coating layer and is located on the index finger portion between a first bend region of the index finger portion corresponding to a knuckle of a user and a base of the index finger portion. A second plurality of ridges extend away from the coating layer and is located on the thumb portion between a tip of the thumb portion and a base of the thumb portion. The first plurality of ridges and second plurality of ridges define a second thickness greater than the first coating thickness.

Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description or recognized by practicing the embodiments as described in the written description and/or shown in the accompany drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary.

The accompanying drawings are included to provide further understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain principles and operation of the various embodiments. In addition, alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features and combinations of features as may be generally recited in the claims.

Referring generally to the figures, various embodiments of a glove, such as a work glove, with a coating layer are provided. Coating layers applied to work gloves may be used to provide improved gripping, chemical resistance, cut resistance and other benefits to a user of a glove. According to various embodiments, the glove includes a coating (e.g., a polymer coating layer, a dipped polymer coating layer, a nitrile coating layer, etc.) formed on a glove body (e.g., such as fabric glove body or glove liner). In various embodiments, the coating includes areas with a lower coating thickness (e.g., debossed areas, etc.) aligned with bend/crease locations of the wearer's hand such that the glove bends more easily at those points and/or areas with a higher coating thickness (e.g., embossed areas, secondary coating areas, etc.) aligned with high abrasion zones of the glove such that the glove provides improved grip and wear resistance at those points.

In some embodiments, the lower coating thickness areas and/or higher coating thickness areas are formed by debossing (e.g., imprinting) one or more layers of the coating such that the lower coating thicknesses and/or higher coating thicknesses define a pattern. In other embodiments, the higher coating thickness areas are formed by applying a secondary coating to the embossed coating layer. The coating layer thickness pattern may be formed in a dipped coating layer, following application to the glove body via dipping but prior to curing of the dipped coating layer material. In a specific embodiment, the coating layer is formed from a nitrile material, and the coating layer thickness pattern discussed herein is formed after drying but before curing of the nitrile material. Applicant believes that the lower coating thickness areas and higher coating thickness areas provided by the embodiments described herein provide enhanced durability, reduced hand fatigue during use, improved dexterity, and reduced manufacturing costs compared to some conventional gloves.

Referring to, a gloveis shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. Gloveincludes a glove body, shown as liner, a coating layer coupled to an outer surface of liner, shown as grip surface, a plurality of finger portions, a thumb portion, a palm portion, and a wrist portion. As shown, there are four finger portions. Finger portionsare configured to receive a user's index, middle, ring, and little fingers. Each finger portionincludes a tipand a base. Each tipis located at an end its respective finger portionfurthest from palm portionof liner. Each baseis located at an end of its respective finger portionopposite tipand adjacent to palm portionof liner. Each baseis positioned along the respective finger portioncloser to palm portionthan each tipis positions to palm position. Thumb portionincludes a tiplocated at an end of thumb portionfurthest from palm portionand a baselocated at an end of thumb portionopposite tipand adjacent to palm portion.

Linerincludes a palm sideand a back side. Grip surfaceis a coating layer formed on an exterior surface of palm sideof liner. As shown, grip surfaceis located on palm sidealong finger portions, thumb portion, and palm portion. In a specific embodiment, grip surfaceis a single, contiguous, and continuous layer located on palm sideof liner along finger portions, thumb portion, and palm portion. Grip surfaceis not located on wrist portionor along back sideof lineropposite palm portion. In various embodiments, at least a portion of back sideof finger portionsand thumb portiondo not include grip surface.

Linerincludes an openingat a bottom end of gloveformed between palm sideand back side. Openingis configured to receive the hand of a user. As shown, gloveincludes a pull-grip portionon the palm surface of gloveabove opening. Lineris configured such that when a user inserts their hand into opening, an interior surface of linersurrounds the user's hand within glove. Pull-grip portionis configured to be gripped by the user's other hand to assist in donning and doffing glove.

In some embodiments, lineris formed from a flexible material, and in specific embodiments, lineris formed from a cloth material, such as a knitted material. In other various embodiments, the liner material may be formed from spandex, nylon, High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), polyester, glass, tungsten, steel, basalt, Kevlar, cotton, or combinations thereof where compatible. In a specific embodiment, lineris formed from a material made of spandex, nylon, and HDPE infused with graphite.

In various embodiments, grip surfaceis formed from a coating applied to liner, such as a polymer coating, dipped polymer coating, etc. In a specific embodiment, grip surfaceis formed through a dipping and curing process, where gloveis dipped into a coating material and then cured to solidify the coating material into a coating layer along select portions of glove, such as grip surface. In a specific embodiment, the coating material used to form grip surfaceis nitrile, such that grip surfaceis a nitrile coating layer. In other various embodiments, grip surfaceis formed a coating material such as nitrile, polyurethane, silicone, neoprene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), natural rubber (polyisoprene), other rubbers, or mixes thereof where compatible.

As shown, grip surfaceincludes a plurality of flex grooves, shown as first palm flex groove or upper palm flex groove, second palm flex groove or lower palm flex groove, thumb flex groove, and finger flex grooves. Each groove of the plurality of flex grooves,,, andis a recess formed in the grip surface. The portions of grip surfacebetween the plurality of flex grooves includes a plurality of grip grooves, which may be used to increase the friction between gloveand a workpiece along grip surface. Grip groovesmay be formed as recesses in grip surface. As shown, each of the plurality of flex grooves,,, andhas a greater width and/or depth than the grip grooves. In various embodiments, flex grooves,,, andare formed by debossing such that a thickness along grip surfaceis decreased along flex grooves,,, andand defines recesses along the surface.

The plurality of flex grooves extends across grip surfacein a manner that generally corresponds to common bending areas in gloves (e.g., bend regions opposite the knuckles along the finger portions, bend regions along the palm portion, etc.). Upper palm flex grooveextends laterally across grip surfaceat a position that is closer to finger portionsthan lower palm flex grooveand thumb flex groove. Upper palm flex grooveextends substantially horizontally from an edge of grip surfacethat is opposite thumb portion, includes an angled portion that extends toward finger portionsand away from wrist portion, and then extends substantially horizontally toward an edge of grip surfacethat is between thumb portionand finger portions.

Lower palm flex grooveis positioned between upper palm flex grooveand wrist portion. Lower palm flex grooveextends from an edge of grip surfacelocated between thumb portionand index finger portionaway from thumb portionand slightly downward toward a central area of palm portion. Lower palm flex grooveincludes an angled portion at or near the central area of palm portionthat extends substantially downward away from finger portionsand toward wrist portion.

Thumb flex grooveis located at and extends across the base of thumb portion. Each finger portionincludes a corresponding finger flex groovethat is located at and extends across baseof the respective finger portion.

The plurality of flex grooves,,, andare configured to provide grip surfacewith areas at which the thickness of the coating forming grip surfaceis thinner than other portions of grip surface, facilitating bending at those points with reduced bunching of grip surface. The plurality of flex grooves are located at positions that correspond to areas of a human hand that commonly bend, such as knuckle joints, areas of the palm that bend when closing the hand, etc. Applicant believes that the plurality of flex grooves provides a user of glovewith improved dexterity and allow the user to easily bend glovewith reduced fatigue to the user's hand.

As shown, glovefurther includes a plurality of reinforced padsand reinforced ridges. In a specific embodiment, an end of each finger portionof glove(i.e., at locations corresponding to a user's finger tips) adjacent to each tipincludes a reinforced finger padalong palm side. Each finger portionalso includes one or more reinforced ridgeproximate to reinforced pads. Reinforced ridgesextend downward from the ends of the respective finger portions, around a portion of reinforced finger pads, and toward wrist portion.

Thumb portionincludes a reinforced thumb padat an end of thumb portionadjacent to tip. Thumb portionincludes one or more reinforced ridgesthat extend around a portion of reinforced pad. As shown, each of finger portionsincludes at least two reinforced ridges, and thumb portionincludes one reinforced ridge. In various embodiments each finger portionincludes more than two reinforced ridges. In a specific embodiment, at least one of finger portionincludes three reinforced ridges.

Palm portionincludes a plurality of reinforced ridges. As shown, reinforces ridgesare shaped like lines or angled lines. In various embodiments, reinforced ridgesmay be circles, triangles, or other geometric shapes. In a specific embodiment, palm portionincludes one or more reinforced ridges, or specifically two reinforced ridges, extending from an edge of grip surfaceopposite thumb portionat a location between upper palm flex grooveand the flex groovelocated at baseof the finger portionfurthest from thumb portion(i.e., little finger portion) from thumb portion. Palm portionincludes one or more reinforced ridges, or specifically two reinforced ridges, extending from an edge of grip surfacelocated between thumb portionand the finger portionlocated closest to thumb portion(i.e., index finger portion) at a location between upper palm flex grooveand the finger flex grooveclosest to thumb portion. In a specific embodiment, palm portionincludes one or more reinforced ridges, or specifically two reinforced ridges, extending from an edge of grip surfaceopposite thumb portionat a location between upper palm flex grooveand wrist portion.

Reinforced padsand reinforced ridgesare located at locations on glovethat Applicant believes commonly experience abrasion during typical use of work gloves (e.g., fingertips, base of palm, etc.). Reinforced padsand reinforced ridgesare configured to provide a thicker coating layer on grip surfacethan at other portions of grip surface. Applicant believes that the configuration of reinforced padsand reinforced ridgesprovides glovewith improved abrasion durability and/or improved grip relative to some conventional gloves.

In various embodiments, reinforced padsand reinforced ridgesare formed by embossing grip surfacesuch that a thickness along grip surfaceis increased along reinforced padsand reinforced ridges. In other embodiments, reinforced padsand reinforced ridgesare formed by applying a secondary coating to grip surface, which may be used to increase the thickness in areas that are not debosses or do not have recesses.

In various embodiments, reinforced padsand reinforced ridgesdefine a total area that is greater than or equal to 50% of the total surface area of the grip surface.

Referring to, wrist portionis shown. Wrist portiondoes not include grip surface. As shown, wrist portion includes a pattern formed in liner, shown as knit details. Wrist portionincludes an elastic material such that the material allows gloveto form to a user's wrist to maintain gloveon a user when worn. Grip surfaceincludes a pocketat a bottom edge adjacent to wrist portion. In a specific embodiment, pocketdoes not include grip grooves.

Referring to, a cross-sectional view of the palm side of gloveis shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. Grip surfacecovers linersuch that grip surfaceforms an external surface of gloveconfigured to interface with a workpiece when the workpiece is held by a user. Linerhas a thickness. In a specific embodiment, thicknessis greater than or equal to 0.4 mm and is less than or equal to 1.4 mm. More specifically, thicknessis between 0.7 mm and 0.9 mm. Grip surfacehas a thickness. In a specific embodiment, thicknessis less than or equal to 1 mm. More specifically, thicknessis at greater than or equal to 0.25 mm and is less than or equal to 0.5 mm. In another specific embodiment, thicknessis greater than or equal to 0.36 mm and less than or equal to 0.48 mm.

Grip surfaceincludes low coating thickness areasdefined by the plurality of flex grooves formed in grip surface(i.e., upper palm flex groove, lower palm flex groove, thumb flex groove, and finger flex grooves). In some embodiments, grip surfaceis applied to lineras a dipped coating. Low coating thickness areasare formed in grip surfacevia debossing or imprinting. In a specific embodiment, grip surfaceis debossed after the coating on lineris applied and dried but prior to curing the coating. Low coating thickness areas, such as flex grooves,,, and, have a thickness of. In a specific embodiment, thicknessis less than or equal to 1 mm and, more specifically, is less than or equal to 0.5 mm. In a specific embodiment, thicknessis less than or equal to 0.48 mm. In another specific embodiment, thicknessis 0 mm such that there is no grip surfacein areas where there are low coating thickness areas.

Referring to, a cross-sectional view of the palm side of gloveis shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown, gloveincludes high coating thickness areasformed along grip surface. High coating thickness areas are defined by plurality of padsand plurality of ridges. High coating thickness areashave a thickness. In a specific embodiment, thicknessis less than or equal to 1 mm. More specifically, thicknessis greater than or equal to 0.25 mm and less than or equal to 0.5 mm. In a more specific embodiment, thicknessis greater than or equal to 0.2 mm and less than or equal to 0.4 mm. In a specific embodiment, high coating thickness areasare formed by embossing or applying a secondary coating to grip surfacesuch that a thickness along grip surfaceis increased in the high coating thickness areas. In another specific embodiment, the secondary coating applied to gloveis used to define high coating thickness areas. In various embodiments, secondary coating is formed from a coating material such as nitrile, polyurethane, silicone, natural rubber (polyisoprene), chloroprene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or mixes thereof where compatible. In a specific embodiment, the coating material is nitrile.

In embodiments with a secondary coating, high coating thickness areasare applied on top of grip surfaceand define reinforced padsand reinforced ridges. In a specific embodiment, high coating thickness areasare formed from a secondary coating of dots which are applied to grip surfaceand form reinforced padsand reinforced ridges(shown in). The height, spacing, and material forming secondary coating dots are configured to provide enhanced durability to reinforced padsand reinforced ridgesrelative to other sections of grip surface, while preserving dexterity in using glove.

Referring to, gloveis shown. Gloveis substantially the same as gloveexcept for the differences discussed herein. In particular, gloveincludes a plurality of flex grooves,,, and, and a plurality of reinforced ridges. Flex grooves,, andare located at bend regions along a palm sideof glovethat correspond generally to areas opposite knuckle regionson a back sideof glove. Knuckle regionscorrespond to the location of a user's knuckles when gloveis worn. Applicant believes that by locating flex grooves along bend regions corresponding to a user's knuckles, gloveprovides additional dexterity and mobility at the joints of a user when gloveis used.

Gloveincludes a glove body, shown as liner, a coating layer, shown as grip surface, a plurality of finger portions, a thumb portion, a palm portion, and a wrist portion. Each finger portionincludes a tipand a base. Thumb portionincludes a tipand a base. Grip surfaceis a coating layer formed on an exterior surface of palm sideof liner. Grip surfaceincludes plurality of flex grooves,,, andand plurality of reinforced ridges. Grip surfaceincludes an upper palm flex groove, lower palm flex groove, thumb flex groove, and finger flex grooves. Each groove of the plurality of flex grooves,,, andis a recess or depressed surface formed in the grip surfacealong palm side. Flex grooves,,, andhave a thickness that is less than the thickness of grip surfaceand less than a thickness of reinforced ridges. Reinforced ridgesextend away from grip surface. Reinforced ridgesdefine areas along grip surfacewith a thickness greater than the thickness of grip surfaceand greater than the thickness of flex grooves,,, and.

Flex grooves,, andcorrespond to one or more knuckle regionslocated on back side. In this way, lower thickness regions formed on grip surfaceare located in bend regions on palm sideopposite knuckle regions. Each finger portionmay include one or more knuckle regions. In particular, knuckle regionsare located on back sideof gloveand correspond to the knuckles of a finger of a user. As shown, each finger portiondefines three knuckle regions, which correspond to the three knuckles of a user's finger. Thumb portionmay also include one or more knuckle regions. As shown, thumb portionincludes one knuckle region. In a specific embodiment each knuckle regionhas a width between 1 mm and 6 mm, and more specifically has a width of 3 mm.

Each finger portionhas a lengthmeasured between tipand base. Knuckle regionsof finger portionsare each positioned along linerand define a distance from tipwith respect to length. A first knuckle regiondefining a first bend region is a distancefrom tip. In a specific embodiment, distanceis between 30% and 45% of length. More specifically, distanceof index finger portionis 37.7%, distanceof middle finger portionis 33.9%, distanceof ring finger portionis 37.4%, and distanceof little finger portionis 42.2%.

A second knuckle regiondefining a second bend region is a distancefrom tip. In a specific embodiment, distanceis between 60% and 75% of length. More specifically, distanceof index finger portionis 67.7%, distanceof middle finger portionis 65.4%, distanceof ring finger portionis 68.1%, and distanceof little finger portionis 69.2%.

A third knuckle regionis located along back sidecloser to wrist portion. Third knuckle regioncorresponds a bend region formed along palm portion. In a specific embodiment, the bend region defined by third knuckle regioncorresponds to flex groove. Baseof each finger portionis located between second knuckle regionand third knuckle region. Third knuckle regionis a distancefrom tip. In a specific embodiment, distanceis between 130% and 150% of length. More specifically, distanceof index finger portionis 148%, distanceof middle finger portionis 131%, distanceof ring finger portionis 135%, and distanceof little finger portionis 133%.

Thumb portionhas a lengthmeasured between tipand base. Knuckle regionof thumb portionis located a distancefrom tipbetween 40% and 50% of length. In a specific embodiment, distanceis 49%.

Referring to, flex grooves are located at positions along palm sidethat correspond to areas of a human hand that commonly bend (e.g., bend regions opposite knuckle regions). As shown, upper palm flex grooveextends laterally across grip surface. Upper palm flex grooveextends substantially horizontal from an edge furthest from thumb portionadjacent to little finger portiontowards thumb portion. Upper palm flex grooveis located at a bend region that corresponds to third knuckle regionof the little finger portion, ring finger portion, and middle finger portion. Upper palm flex grooveextends substantially horizontally from an edge of grip surfacethat is opposite thumb portion, includes an angled portion that extends toward finger portionsand away from wrist portion, and then extends substantially vertically until terminating at a location adjacent to basebetween index finger portionand middle finger portion.

Lower palm flex grooveis positioned between upper palm flex grooveand wrist portion. Lower palm flex grooveextends from an edge of grip surfacelocated between thumb portionand index finger portionaway from thumb portion, along a center area of palm portion, and towards wrist portion. Lower palm flex grooveterminates on palm portionadjacent to wrist portion.

Thumb portionincludes two thumb flex grooves. A first thumb flex grooveis located closer to tipand corresponds to the knuckle regionof thumb portion. A second thumb flex grooveis located at and extends across baseof thumb portion. Finger portionseach include three finger flex grooves. Two of the finger flex groovescorrespond to the first knuckle regionand second knuckle regionrespectively, while a third finger flex grooveis located at and extend across baseof finger portions. Flex groovesandextend along palm sidefrom a first side of finger portionto a second side of finger portion. Flex groovesanddefine a height measured along the respective finger portionand/or thumb portionin a direction towards tipsand. In a specific embodiment, the height of flex groovesandis greater than or equal to 1 mm and less than or equal to 3 mm.

In various embodiments, low coating thickness areas of grip surfaceare defined by the plurality of flex grooves,,, and. In a specific embodiment, the low coating thickness areas provide coverage of less than 50% of the maximum thickness of grip surfacein bend regions corresponding to knuckle regions. More specifically, the thickness of grip surfacein bend regions corresponding to knuckle regionsis less than 15% the maximum thickness of grip surface, and more specifically, less than 5%.

Reinforced ridgesare configured to provide a thicker coating layer on grip surfacethan at other portions of grip surface. Applicant believes that this may assist with abrasion resistance during use of gloveas well as providing increased friction for gripping a workpiece during use. In various embodiments, the thicker coating layer may be formed by applying a secondary coating layer to grip surface. In other various embodiments, the thicker coating layer may be formed by embossing grip surfaceto create areas of increased thickness with respect to the rest of grip surface.

As shown, reinforced ridgesare located along palm side. In particular, reinforced ridgesare located palm sideof palm portion, finger portions, and thumb portion. Reinforced ridgesare located on grip surfacebetween the plurality of flex grooves. As shown, reinforces ridgesare rectangular shaped, such as lines or boxes. In various embodiments, reinforced ridgesmay be other geometric shapes. In a specific embodiment, reinforced ridgesdefine a width less than or equal to 3 mm and, more specifically, less than or equal to 2 mm.

As shown, reinforced ridgeson thumb portionextend laterally along palm surfaceof thumb portionbetween a first sideof thumb portionto a second sideof thumb portionin a substantially horizontal direction with respect thumb portion. Similarly, reinforced ridgeson finger portionscorresponding to a user's little finger, ring finger, and middle finger extend laterally along palm surfaceof finger portionbetween a first sideof the finger portionand a second sideof the respective finger portionin a substantially horizontal direction with respect the respective finger portion. Reinforced ridgeslocated on index finger portioninclude a first portion and a second potion are positioned such that they define a vertex or corner. The first portion extends from first sidetowards a middle section of index finger portionand second portion extend from the middle section towards second side. As shown, the corners of reinforced ridgeson index finger portionare located closer to tipsuch that the first portion and the second portion extend from the corner towards first sideand second side, respectively, first portion and second portion extend downwards away from tiptowards baseat an angle.

Reinforced ridgeslocated on palm portionare a rectangular shape and extend linearly along palm portion. Reinforced ridgeslocated on palm portionare in three different ridge groups. A first ridge groupis located on palm portionbetween lower palm flex grooveand an edge of palm sideextending between thumb portionand wrist portion. First ridge grouphas reinforced ridgesoriented in a first direction along palm portion. A second ridge groupis located on palm portionbetween lower palm flex grooveand upper palm flex groove. Second ridge grouphas reinforced ridges oriented in a second direction different from the first direction along palm portion. A third ridge groupis located on palm portionbetween upper palm flex grooveand finger flex grooveslocated at the basesof finger portions. Third ridge grouphas reinforced ridgesoriented in a third direction different from the first direction and the second direction along palm portion.

Referring to, gloveis shown. Gloveis substantially the same as glovesand, except for the differences discussed herein. In particular, gloveincludes a grip surfacewith a plurality of reinforced padsand reinforced ridges, which defined areas of increased thickness along grip surface. Glovedoes not include any flex grooves formed by debossing or decreasing the thickness of grip surface; instead, reinforced padsand reinforced ridgesare positioned along a palm sideof glovesuch that they do not overlap with common bending areas in gloves (e.g., bend regions opposite the knuckles along the finger portions, bend regions along the palm portion, etc.). In this way, the thickness of grip surfaceat these common bending regions is less than the thickness of reinforced padsand reinforced ridges. In a specific embodiment, grip surfaceis not located on the common bending regions. Applicant believes that the configuration of reinforced padsand reinforced ridgesprovides glovewith improved abrasion durability and/or improved grip relative to some conventional gloves and also provides additional dexterity and/or mobility at the joints of a user when gloveis used.

Referring to, gloveincludes a glove body, shown as liner, and a coating layer, shown as grip surface, located along palm sideof liner. Grip surfacedoes not extend to the back side of glove. Glovefurther includes a plurality of finger portions, a thumb portion, a palm portion, and a wrist portion. Plurality of reinforced padsand plurality of reinforced ridgesare formed along grip surfaceand positioned on palm sideof finger portions, thumb portion, and palm portion.

Each finger portionincludes a plurality of reinforced ridgesand one or more reinforced pads. Reinforced padsare located adjacent to tipof each finger portion. Reinforced ridgesare located along each finger portionbetween tipand a first bend region, between first bend regionand a second bend region, and between second bend regionand base. Reinforced ridgesextend laterally along palm surfaceof finger portionbetween first sideof the finger portionand a second sideof the respective finger portionin a substantially horizontal direction with respect the respective finger portion.

In a specific embodiment, reinforced padsand reinforced ridgeshave a width greater than or equal to 2 mm measured in a direction parallel to the length of each finger portion. In another specific embodiment, bend regionsandhave a width measured in a direction parallel to the length of each finger portiongreater than or equal to 2 mm and at less than or equal to 4 mm.

Referring to, index finger portionincludes two reinforced pads. A first reinforced padA is located along the length of finger portioncloser to tipthan base. A second reinforced padB is positioned between first reinforced padA and basealong the length of finger portion. More specifically, second reinforced padB is located between first reinforce padA and first bend regionof index finger portion. As shown, first reinforced padA has a first edgefacing towards tipand a second edgefacing towards first bend region. First edgeis rounded and is convex with respect to tip. Second edgeincludes two lateral portionsA and an angled portionB extending between the two lateral portionsA. Angled portionB extends away from first. Specifically, a first lateral portionA extends substantially horizontally away from second sideof index finger portion. Angled portionB extends downwards from this lateral portion towards baseand towards first sideof index finger portion. A second lateral portionA extends substantially horizontally from angled portionB towards first side.