ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 16 -- United States Patent no. 12,495,849, issued on Dec. 16.
"Reinforced hand protector" was invented by William H. Atkins (Chevy Chase, Md.), Thomas W. Atkins (Chevy Chase, Md.) and Andrew B. Atkins (Chevy Chase, Md.).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A reinforced support device suitable for the protection of a hand its digits from impacts, particularly those found in contact sports. The support device providing an outer skeleton and/or selected reinforcement portion(s), protects the digits of the hand permits flexion of the fingers and/or thumb. The reinforcement portions can be of various shapes, sizes, materials, and weights. They may also be connected in various ways t...