摘要 |
A protective glove 10 constructed of shock-absorbent material, comprising digital sheaths 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 anchored to a metacarpal sheath 14. The sheaths 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 extend to cover the second-innermost joint of each digit, 17, 19, 21, 23 and 25. As a result, the glove 10 pads the critical area of wrap-around grasp-the metacarpals and the entire shaft of the proximal phalanx-yet permits unimpeded fingertip feel by exposing the distal phalanges. The glove 10 further preserves normal hand sensations during flexion and extension: by covering both the palmar curve and the dorsal surfaces of the second-innermost joints, the glove 10 exerts forces on the palmar surface and the aforesaid joints in proportion to the forces caused by normal compression and stretching at those respective positions on an unprotected hand. As a result, the device not only permits wrap-around grasp and allows fingertip feel, but preserves the normal palmar/dorsal balance of sensation, all of which maximize the "cognizance-by-touch" abilities of a gloved human hand.
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