Abstract: A bowling ball wherein one or more sacrificial molds are encapsulated in said bowling ball and methods for manufacturing same.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to methods and devices for manufacturing bowling ball finger sleeves that are customized to an individual ball and bowler. The method allows preparation of the finger sleeve directly in the finger hole of a bowling ball. The finger hole can be filled with a molding material and a finger inserted until the molding material cures and retains the shape of the inserted finger. Further embodiments include the use of a protective ring to prevent damage to the outer edge of the finger sleeve and preparation of vents within the sleeve to provide room for expansion of the bowler's finger.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods of beveling gripping holes of bowling balls. A method includes creating a bevel at an edge of a hole of the bowling ball by removing material from the bowling ball using a rotary tool equipped with a shaping bit that extends into the hole.

Abstract: A bowling ball thumb insert has a first and second sleeve. The second sleeve is retained in the first sleeve. The first sleeve has a coupling mechanism including a ledge extending radially inward towards the center of the sleeve. A positioning gap is adjacent the ledge. A second sleeve is positioned inside the first sleeve. The second sleeve includes a coupling mechanism. The second sleeve coupling mechanism includes a wing extending radially outward from the outer surface of the second sleeve. The wing passes through the positioning gap. When one of the sleeves is rotated with respect to the other, the sleeves lock together.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a bowling ball having an arrangement of holes for allowing a bowler to grip the ball. The arrangement includes a thumbhole having a profile which is shaped to accommodate the thumb of the bowler in a bent position. The thumbhole can be configured to accommodate the thumb of the bowler in a bent position in which the bowler grips the ball, and provides a clearance fit with the thumb of the bowler when in a substantially straight position. The shaped profile of the thumbhole can be provided by a pad for the thumb or be defined by an insert to the thumbhole.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods of beveling gripping holes of bowling balls. A method includes creating a bevel at an edge of a hole of the bowling ball by removing material from the bowling ball using a rotary tool equipped with a shaping bit that extends into the hole.

Abstract: A bowling ball thumb insert has a first and second sleeve. The second sleeve is retained in the first sleeve. The first sleeve has a coupling mechanism including a ledge extending radially inward towards the center of the sleeve. A positioning gap is adjacent the ledge. A second sleeve is positioned inside the first sleeve. The second sleeve includes a coupling mechanism. The second sleeve coupling mechanism includes a wing extending radially outward from the outer surface of the second sleeve. The wing passes through the positioning gap. When one of the sleeves is rotated with respect to the other, the sleeves lock together.

Abstract: A finger grip system is provided for obtaining maximum rotation and a resulting pronounced hook when releasing a bowling ball. The system includes drilled holes for receiving a bowler's middle finger, ring finger and thumb, the holes being spaced such that only fingertips may be inserted into the holes. Inserts are placed in the holes, the inserts having a resilient frictional character, and defined therein lips at the corner of a bottom surface and a wall of a central aperture. The inserts are sized to locate the lips such that dominant upward force applied by the fingers and thumb results from contact of finger and thumb tips rather than other parts of the fingers. Force applied in this manner results in increased rotation of bowling balls.

Abstract: A finger grip has a resilient tubular body which is adapted to be inserted into a finger hole of a bowling ball. The insert has a generally cylindrical inner wall surface with a pair of opposing gripping surfaces at each end of the insert. Thus, the insert provides four gripping members in a single insert.

Abstract: The present invention relates to inserts for holes in bowling balls, and more specifically, provides an insert which is easily installed and easily interchangeable. One preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes a two-piece insert where the base portion is attached inside the bowling ball hole and the sleeve portion is removably attached to the base portion. Other preferred embodiments utilize a locking mechanism to prevent rotation between the base portion and the sleeve portion. Further embodiments utilize differently sized and shaped interior cavities of the sleeve portion to accommodate various sizes and shapes of fingers and thumbs, while still other embodiments utilize an insert with a multiple outer diameters and a method for controlling the diameter of the hole to provide an insert that may be easily inserted or removed by hand.

Abstract: An adjustable grip bowling ball kit, comprising tubular sleeve member adapted for permanent insertion into a bowling ball grip hole and a plurality inserts to be removably inserted to the sleeve member. The tubular sleeve member is further equipped with at least one guide means extending from said inner diameter surface into the interior of the tubular sleeve member. Each insert has an outer diameter surface to define an exterior of the insert and an inner diameter surface to define an interior of each insert. Each insert has a distal end and a proximal end and each insert is further equipped with at least one channel groove extending along the outer diameter surface of the insert. Each channel groove is adapted to cooperatively engage the guide means of the tubular sleeve upon insertion of said insert into said sleeve member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a finger tape for aiding bowling. The thumb, the middle finger and the ring finger are inserted into holes formed in a bowling ball. Upon bowling, a player grips the ball by inserting the thumb, the middle finger and the ring finger into the holes formed in the ball. For releasing and rolling the ball, the thumb is instantly slipped out of the hole, followed by the middle finger and the ring finger while spinning the ball. Accordingly, an elasticized cotton tape with gravure printed acryl resin adhesive having different effects depending on actions of the fingers is attached to the thumb, the middle finger and the ring finger to obtain effective bowling results, wherein the thumb tape slides easily and the finger tape provides better grip, based on differing amounts of hardener in the adhesive.

Abstract: A bowling ball thumb sleeve provides an elongated sleeve having a cylindrical wall thickness composed of a yieldable material that defines an open-ended passageway adapted to insertably receive the thumb of the bowler via either end of the sleeve as opposed to the sole opening of a finger insert. Each open end of the passageway is defined by a geometric shape or configuration at the time of sleeve usage in the bowling ball hole. The sleeve provides for at least one pad or wedge-shaped thickened portion at least at one entrance to the passageway and such may be present at both entrances. An example of an entrance shape may be oval, round or elliptical and the improved sleeve provides for a combination of these geometric shapes. The thumb sleeve is elongated and of a length greater than the length of a bowling ball hole and the player may select the entrance opening shape and ramp thickness followed by severing and removing the opposite end which then may be discarded.

Abstract: A precise, anatomically configured finger insert for the holes of a bowling ball conforms to the exact size and shape of the bowler's fingers prior to the insert being set into the pre-drilled holes of the bowling ball. The inserts are formed from a soft, resilient elastomer that favors rather than resists the full spectrum of all finger shapes. The insert is vented to eliminate the vacuum effect produced when the fingers are very rapidly removed from a tightly confined space, the venting allowing for ease of finger extraction upon release of the bowling ball, the venting spaces in plurality also allowing the soft deformable elastomer to accommodate finger size change secondary to swelling by pushing into the venting spaces. The method of production of the finger hole inserts yields inserts that are unique and personal for each individual bowler, yet capable of being mass produced.

Abstract: In accordance with the subject invention, devices and methods are provided for the accurate reporting of movement of an entity. Sensors which are accurate, but provide a delayed signal ("delayed signal sensors"), which delay is unacceptable for many applications, may be used in conjunction with fast sensors ("fast signal sensors"), which are usually subject to drift and other inaccuracies in providing information about a position. Additional sensors which may provide even more accurate and/or less signal sensor delay for a period of time, but which sensor signal is subject to periods of interrupted or undesirable output thereby making it unreliable ("unreliable signal sensors") may also be used in combination with one or more of the delayed signal sensors and fast signal sensors. By using a combination of such sensors, accurate, reliable position information is rapidly obtained to allow high-resolution and/or real-time analysis and depictions of movement.

Abstract: A improved, and simplified method of producing a finger or thumb hole (gripping hole) copied from an existing reference hole in a bowling ball. The essential improvement in this invention being an improved method of replicating a reference hole of a bowling ball with ease and relative cost efficiency and to have the ability to change the orientation of the new hole in pitch and distance. A silicone mold taken of the reference hole allows a urethane sleave to be created that features a duplicative a) length of the reference hole; b) texture of the inner portion of the reference hole; c) bevel at the top of the reference hole; and d) shape of the reference hole so that these dimensions can be copied immediately, or at a later date, onto a new ball. A variety of hole sizes (eg. 11/8, 11/4, 13/8 inches) can also be used to remedy any change or correction in the finger size.

Abstract: An insert system for the finger and thumb holes of a bowling ball and a method for installing the insert system. The insert system includes a master that is bonded inside each of the holes. A number of inserts are provided having different internal diameters, shapes, and pitches (the angle of the hole relative to the ball's surface). Inserts are also provided that have offset internal holes, to allow for changes in finger span by rotating the insert relative to the master. The master is provided with tapered inner and outer surfaces. The taper on the outer surface helps in bonding the master to the ball by providing voids that are filled with adhesive. The tapered inner surface cooperates with a tapered outer surface on the insert, to lock the insert to the master. A round head screw assembly is additionally provided with each insert to insure that a shock of impact will not loosen the fit between the master and the insert.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved bowling ball and an insert for a bowling ball for use in a finger hole of a bowling ball. According to the present invention, a fingertip positioner in a finger hole of a bowling ball positions the pad of the finger against the interior wall of the finger hole closest to the thumb hole in the bowling ball.

Abstract: An insert for the thumb or finger holes of a bowling ball is provided. The insert has a thumb or fingerpad of a material selected to provide good grip. The remainder of the insert is of a material selected to allow the unimpeded withdrawal of a thumb or finger from the hole when the ball is released.

Abstract: In accordance with the subject invention, devices and methods are provided for the accurate reporting of movement of an entity. Sensors which are accurate, but provide a delayed signal ("delayed signal sensors"), which delay is unacceptable for many applications, may be used in conjunction with fast sensors ("fast signal sensors"), which are usually subject to drift and other inaccuracies in providing information about a position. Additional sensors which may provide even more accurate and/or less signal sensor delay for a period of time, but which sensor signal is subject to periods of interrupted or undesirable output thereby making it unreliable ("unreliable signal sensors") may also be used in combination with one or more of the delayed signal sensors and fast signal sensors. By using a combination of such sensors, accurate, reliable position information is rapidly obtained to allow high-resolution and/or real-time analysis and depictions of movement.

Abstract: A spherical gaming device to be held by hand, made out of different materials, having a central core, wherein the central core consists of a removable ball with variable weight and this central core is housed into a first and a second hemispherical hollows, that can mutually fit. The first hemispherical hollow is integral with the spherical gaming device, being at the same time a base of a removable cylindrical portion thereof. The second base of the removable cylindrical portion is a portion of the outside surface of the sphere. The hand-held device also has a pair of drilled holes on the surface of said sphere, that define a first and a second cylindrical hollows to receive the fingers. The removable portion is provided with a trip fastening arrangement.

Abstract: A simple and inexpensive bowling ball finger hole insert provides a firm finger grip that automatically adjusts to accommodate changes in a bowler's finger diameter. The insert has a substantially cylindrical shape and is manufactured from an elastomer such as polyurethane. The outer dimensions of the insert are selected to match a standard hole in a bowling ball. The insert comprises two coaxial hollow cylinders of different diameters. The outer cylinder fits into the ball's finger hole and contacts the ball, while the smaller inner cylinder, which is sized to accept the bowler's finger, is suspended within the outer cylinder with an air space between the two cylinders. When the inner cylinder deforms to accept a finger with an enlarged diameter, it expands into the air space. The inner cylinder can be suspended within the air space by being attached to the outer cylinder either laterally along one side or distally at the end of the inner cylinder.

Abstract: A gauge for indicating the correct alignment for a thumb hole of a bowling ball having a ring with a circular abutment section having a central axis, the ring having an aperture through the opening inside the abutment section, the ring also having a circular track concentric and coaxial with the central axis and angular indicia on the ring. A fin is attached to the ring extending in a plane which includes the central axis. A thumb plate having a periphery which fits and rotates in the track, the thumb plate having a centrally located thumb aperture with a boundary having a generally flattened portion against which the top of the thumb will bear and an opposite generally rounded portion against which the bottom of the thumb will bear, the thumb plate also having an index mark to align with the angular indicia on the ring to indicate the correct angular orientation of the thumb hole to be drilled in the bowling ball.

Abstract: A bowling ball having at least one recess, and an insert generally filling said recess and formed of material molded about the fingers of the user of the ball to provide finger holes formed in said insert corresponding precisely to the size, spacing and curvature of the fingers of the user of the ball. A cap drilled to match the alignment of the customized finger holes is glued to the top of the insert to match the outer surface of the bowling ball.