US3590389A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ball glove backstop
Assignee: Rawlings Sporting Goods Co Inc
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Filing: 1970-01-23
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Granted: 1971-07-06
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Expires: 1990-01-23
Abstract
Abstract A ball glove having spaced finger and thumb sections with a backstop connected to and substantially closing the area between those sections. The backstop includes a pair of spaced side segments which are joined to a connecting segment at bellowslike folds. The folds permit the connecting segment to move rearwardly with respect to the side segments when a ball strikes the backstop and, in addition, enables the side segments to spread away from the connecting segment. This displacement between the segments permits the backstop to more closely conform to the shape of a ball which enters it, and to expand upon ball impact which absorbs some of the energy. It also allows the segments to work relative to each other, which affords greater control over the glove and enhances its retention capabilities.
Inventors
- 👤 Roland N Latina
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 06:55
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B71/00; A63B71/08; A63B71/14; A63B71/141; A63B71/143
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
In a ball glove including a glove body having a ballreceiving pocket and spaced apart thumb and finger sections, and improved backstop forming a continuation of the ball-receiving pocket of the glove body and attached to the thumb and finger sections for substantially closing the space between those sections, the backstop comprising a plurality of segments forming an initially substantially flat backstop, and bellowslike folds operatively connecting said segments and responsive When a ball strikes the backstop to unfold and expand said backstop into a ball-catching pocket by allowing said segments to move out of the initially flat condition between the segments.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a ball glove including a glove body having a ballreceiving pocket and spaced apart thumb and finger sections, and improved backstop forming a continuation of the ball-receiving pocket of the glove body and attached to the thumb and finger sections for substantially closing the space between those sections, the backstop comprising a plurality of segments forming an initially substantially flat backstop, and bellowslike folds operatively connecting said segments and responsive When a ball strikes the backstop to unfold and expand said backstop into a ball-catching pocket by allowing said segments to move out of the initially flat condition between the segments.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A structure according to claim 1 wherein the segments are arranged adjacent one another between the thumb and finger sections of the glove body; and wherein the folds extend generally in the direction of the thumb and finger sections.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A structure according to claim 2 wherein the folds fold away from the ball-receiving pocket.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
A structure according to claim 2 wherein the folds do not open at the ends of the segments so that the ends of adjacent segments are not displaced relative to one another, whereby when a ball strikes the center area of the backstop and the folds in that center area open, the backstop will assume a more concave shape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
A structure according to claim 2 wherein two spaced segments have facing plies forming a portion of the ball-receiving side of the backstop; wherein the facing plies are doubled back upon themselves to form the bellowslike folds; and wherein a connecting segment is attached to the folds and extends between the two spaced segments.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A structure according to claim 5 wherein the spaced segments further include a backing ply attached to the facing ply and forming a cutout in the back side of the backstop; and wherein the connecting segment is generally positioned within the cutout.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A structure according to claim 6 wherein the connecting segment substantially fills the cutout when the folds are fully folded.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A structure according to claim 7 wherein the side margins of the cutout in the backing ply terminate at the area of the glove body through which the finger section and the thumb section merge.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
A structure according to claim 7 wherein the backing ply at its outer end is folded forwardly across the facing plies and attached to the facing plies and the connecting segment so as to form a tunnel through the backstop; and wherein a lacing extends through the tunnel and into the first finger and thumb sections of the glove body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
82 words
In a ball glove including a glove body having spaced apart thumb and finger sections, an improved backstop forming a ball-receiving pocket with the glove body and being attached to the thumb and finger sections for substantially closing the space between those sections, the backstop comprising a plurality of sections connected to each other at bellowslike folds so that the sections can yield relative to one another and increase the depth of and impart greater contour to the backstop and ball-receiving pocket.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
82 words
In a ball glove including a glove body having spaced apart thumb and finger sections, an improved backstop forming a ball-receiving pocket with the glove body and being attached to the thumb and finger sections for substantially closing the space between those sections, the backstop comprising a plurality of sections connected to each other at bellowslike folds so that the sections can yield relative to one another and increase the depth of and impart greater contour to the backstop and ball-receiving pocket.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-05 | 1975-01-04 | 1975-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-05 | 1979-01-04 | 1979-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-05 | 1983-01-04 | 1983-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |