NO THUMB RELEASE
A bowling aid device for use with a bowling ball may include a first strap, a second strap, and a palm portion to cooperate with a palm of the user. The first strap may be detachably connected to the palm portion, and the second strap may be detachably connected to the palm portion. The bowling aid device may include a thumb replacement device to cooperate with a thumb hole of a bowling ball for use by the user, and the first strap may extend over the thumb of the user. The second strap may extend beneath the thumb of the user.
This invention relates to the sport of bowling and more particularly to a bowling aid device which may be worn on the left or right hands of the bowler to achieve increased control and enhanced ball revolutions.
BACKGROUNDThe present invention relates to the bowling art and more particularly to a bowling aid which eliminates thumb hangups during bowling.
A common problem experienced by bowlers after extended participation in the game is known as “thumb hangup”. When a bowler grips a conventional bowling bowl, the thumb and middle two fingers are inserted into the holes provided in the ball. During delivery of the ball down the alley the thumb is situated above the two fingers and begins to release from the thumb hole while the two fingers continue to impart lift and speed to the ball before they release during the follow-through. As the thumb releases the ball, the top of the thumb, including thumbnail and adjacent knuckle, is oriented upwardly. When the ball is released it travels outwardly and downwardly away from the bowler while the thumb and hand of the bowler are traveling upwardly in an arc-like delivery and follow-through motion. These opposing motions of the ball and thumb during delivery cause sliding contact between the ball and the top of the thumb. During extended bowling, the friction which develops from such contact causes the thumb knuckle to swell. Such swelling along with natural body perspiration only enhances the friction between the ball and thumb. This phenomenon, “thumb hang up”, severely hinders the smooth delivery and release of the bowling ball that is desired for accuracy and consistency during the game.
In aggravated cases, blisters will form and the top of the thumb and knuckle in particular can become raw and tender, thus markedly affecting the bowler's ability to score well. In extreme cases, the bowler is prevented from continuing the game until the swelling and soreness dissipates. Even in cases where the skin on top of the thumb does not form a blister or break open, the constant rubbing between the ball and thumb will eventually cause a callous to form which further enlarges the thumb and contributes to thumb hang-ups.
A bowler can use a bowling ball without inserting the thumb into the thumb hole to get high revolutions on the bowling ball. The bowling ball is often held with both hands or balanced on the forearm while the bowler executes a bent elbow backswing with the bowling ball. The arm is never straightened, and the ball is essentially pushed down the lane while the bowler rotates his hand and arm around the bowling ball. For some, it is considered a variation of cranking.
This technique is quite rare among high-level bowlers but is commonly used to generate revolutions by casual bowlers who do not know how to hook the ball using one of the more conventional techniques.
Traditionally, in two handed bowling, two fingers are inserted into the bowling ball and the thumb is left out. The dominant hand of the bowler is then used to cradle the ball and creates extra spin on the release. Then, the opposite hand of the bowler is used to guide the ball through the throwing motion. Two handed bowlers are forced to flex forward farther and rotate more than a single handed bowler. These bowlers are placing more torque through the spine in order to increase the ball speed and revolution rate. This form of bowling, if done correctly, increases force, revolutions and pin carry. A two handed bowler's revolution rate can reach up to 600 revolutions per minute, which is up to 17% more rotation than the nearest elite single handed bowler and twice what some top professional bowlers generate.
Notable bowlers with this style include Mike Miller (one-handed), Australian, Jason Belmonte; Finn, Osku Palermaa; and American pre-teen, Chaz Dennis, the youngest person ever to bowl a 300 game. The latter three are two-handed bowlers. The bowling team of Bolivia is also noted for changing their bowlers to using the two-handed style.
A cranker is a bowler who strives to generate revolutions using a cupped wrist. Some bowlers also muscle the ball with a bent elbow because their wrist is not strong enough to be cupped at the release. Crankers often use “late” timing, where the foot gets to the foul line before the ball; a technique known as plant and pull, hardly using any slide on their final step and pulling the ball upwards for leverage. The timing between the feet and the ball being delivered is only a fraction of a second. Even though the plant and pull bowler is sometimes used as another name for a cranker, it is rather misleading because some crankers slide more, while bowlers with other styles can also use this technique. The term “cranking” is used to describe the style of release and heavy wrist action that typifies crankers. Because of the high rev rate and power crankers have, they can throw powerful strikes even on less-than-perfect hits.
SUMMARYA bowling aid device for use with a bowling ball may include a first strap, a second strap, and a palm portion to cooperate with a palm of the user. The first strap may be detachably connected to the palm portion, and the second strap may be detachably connected to the palm portion. The bowling aid device may include a thumb replacement device to cooperate with a thumb hole of a bowling ball for use by the user, and the first strap may extend over the thumb of the user.
The second strap may extend beneath the thumb of the user.
A bowling aid device for use with a bowling ball may include a first strap, a second strap, and a cylindrical wrist portion to cooperate with a wrist of the user.
The first strap may be detachably connected to the cylindrical wrist portion, and the second strap may be detachably connected to the cylindrical wrist portion.
The bowling aid device may include a thumb replacement device to cooperate with a thumb hole of a bowling ball for use by the user.
The cylindrical wrist portion may be compressible around the wrist of the user, and the first strap may extend over the wrist of the user.
The second strap may extend over the wrist of the user.
The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which, like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:
The present invention is a bowling aid that increases control and enhancing ball revolutions, offering the bowler a range of functions and options specific to the individual bowler's abilities, equipment selection (i.e. bowling ball), and the lane conditions faced. The present bowling aid device can be made for right and left-handed bowlers of approximately the same hand size. The present invention eliminates the effect of perspiration from an
otherwise naked inserted thumb of the bowler, which normally has contact with the hole(s) of a bowling ball. Consequently, the present bowling aid device results in more consistent control and release of the ball off the hand, increased ball energy, increased ball motion and revolution potential, and a higher impact between ball and pins, leading to more lively pin scattering, all of which ultimately results in higher scoring potential.
In addition, the present invention can facilitate people who want to bowl but have no thumb.
It can be made for right or left handed people.
Functionality and performance characteristics of various aspects of the bowling aid device provide the bowler a range of control and enhanced ball revolutions , by placing the bowling aid device which has a thumb member. While in the preferred aspects bowling aid may be formed of a single, unitary piece of flexible material with an extrusion located in the Palm area of the bowling aid which replaces the natural thumb. The thumb member may be cylindrically shaped and cooperate with the thumb hole of a bowling ball, which may be one of the pre-drilled holes.
The ball position can be cupped and bowling aid hand is maintained even though the bowler moves his/her hand slightly either away from towards or laterally with respect to the bowling ball. Aspects of the bowling aid device offer the bowlers a variety of options for the
The present invention may be formed from rubber products that are injected molded in the shape of the bowling aid device.
The bowler when playing the game or activity of “bowling” is for the bowler to insert the thumb and at least two (2) fingers of the bowling hand, usually the ring and middle fingers, into their respective holes of a bowling ball. With the fingers and thumb inserted, the basic objective is for the bowler to take a set number of steps on the approach with ball in hand, and after a pendulum-like swing of the bowling arm, the bowling bowl is released into the lane bed of a bowling alley with the intent of knocking down as many of the 10 stationary bowling pins as possible that stand at the far end of the lane.
In addition to physical and mental stamina, applying oneself through diligent and continuous practice in development of a proper and consistent ball release off the hand onto the ideal area of the lane, which is primarily dictated by lane oil conditions and target objective may be dependent upon the time, manner and technique in which the bowling ball is released off the hand and fingers of the bowler onto the lane. Primarily, the thumb and two middle fingers, which are inserted into the holes of a bowling ball have a significant bearing on the manner and release of 1) the ball off the hand, 2) stored ball energy, 3) ball motion, 4) ball rotation (i.e. axis and tilt), and, 5) ball revolutions as the ball travels down the lane toward its intended target.
This complex motion imparted to and through the bowling ball by the aforementioned fingers and thumb of the bowling hand culminates at the time of ball release onto the lane, by what is known as “lift” or “spin”. In bowling jargon, lift or spin is more commonly referred to as, imparting “revolutions” (“revs”) to the bowling ball.
The role of the thumb does not have a significantly positive impact in generating “lift” during the ball release off the hand. Furthermore, an improper release of the thumb from its respective hole of a bowling ball, due to improper positioning and angle of the drilled thumb hole or, a thumb hole which is too tight or too loose, any of which will have an adverse impact on an otherwise properly released ball off the hand, thus preventing the ring and middle fingers of the bowling hand from imparting any meaningful lift or revs on the ball. Effective lift is primarily achieved when the thumb, in its correct position, cleanly exits from the thumb hole at the bottom of the downswing, and for a split second, allowing the ball to rest solely on those fingers inserted into the holes of the ball, usually, the two middle fingers, which remain in their respective finger holes, again, for just a split second longer than the thumb.
Revolutions (i.e. “revs”) have a direct correlation to the bowling ball's axis rotation, tilt, spin and forward roll. This is referred to as the bowling ball's “shape” or “look” as the ball rolls or “travels” down the lane toward its intended target, the pins. The desired and ideal ball motion after the bowling ball has been released off the fingers onto the lane is a combination of what is commonly referred to as “skid”, “hook” and “roll”. In general, the more revs imparted to and through the bowling ball at the time of release, the more pronounced the scattering of pins (i.e. “pin action”) at the point of impact between the ball and pins. Likewise, low or minimum revolutions imparted to and through a bowling ball at the time of release substantially reduce the bowler's scoring potential due to low rev rate and undesired ball roll. This results in what is referred to as a “weak hit” and consequently, ineffective scattering of the pins into one another.
Thus, the more pronounced the scattering of pins into one another, the higher the chance of all 10 pins falling down on the first roll of the bowling ball, rewarding the bowler with what is called a “strike”. The more strikes the bowler can accumulate in a 10-frame game, the higher the bowler's overall scoring potential becomes. Likewise, the accumulation of strikes simultaneously reduces the bowler's need for second chances at attempting to knock down any remaining pins standing in any given frame.
Generally speaking, the bowling aid device may have a thumb member which may be cylindrically shaped and snuggly fitted down into the thumb hole of a bowling ball, pre-drilled holes.
This lack of control of the bowling ball off the fingers is commonly referred to as “losing the shot”. Likewise, loss of control of the bowling ball at point of release can be further exacerbated by an improperly fitted thumb, resulting in the thumb “hanging-up” or “slipping out” of the bowling ball at point of release of the ball onto the lane.
To prevent losing the shot, the undesired, yet normal and natural bodily reflex of the bowler is to unconsciously or sometimes consciously, “squeeze”, “grab”, “grip” “pinch” or “choke” the bowling ball with the thumb, and those fingers inserted into the finger holes of the ball. Squeezing of the bowling ball will usually occur immediately after the bowler pushes away the bowling ball into the initial downswing, continuing through the back swing and back again through the down swing until point of release of the ball onto the lane. Grabbing, gripping, pinching, squeezing or choking of a bowling ball automatically tenses up the wrist, forearm and bicep of the bowling arm, preventing a fluid and relaxed movement and swing of the bowling arm. The fluid movement of the bowling arm is a principal behind the ideal release of the bowling ball off the hand, more specifically, off of the inserted middle fingers. This is desirable in achieving the desired ball revolutions, which ultimately impacts scoring potential.
Under near optimum conditions, a bowling ball should be rolled into the area of the lane to make contact at the area of the pins to gain maximum scattering of the pins and pin fall. This area is known as the “sweet spot” or “pocket”, which is between the #1 and #2 pin for a lefthander or between the #1 and #3 pin for a right-hander. Thus, the bowler should possess 1) the right bowling equipment, 2) ample understanding and knowledge of the intricacies of the game of bowling to make a proper and timely equipment adjustment during the game and, the bowler should 3) dedicate time to practice and hone the bowling skills necessary, applying equipment and knowledge in a practical manner. Nevertheless, even if a bowler possesses all of the above attributes, there still remains an important requirement and element to the game of bowling in order to achieve maximum scoring potential. As the ultimate objective is to consistently achieve as many strikes as possible, resulting in high scoring potential, first and foremost, the bowler should be able to hold onto the bowling ball long enough to properly release (i.e. lift) the bowling ball onto the lane, with a fluid, loose, pendulum-like arm swing, not a tense arm swing, which results from squeezing the ball. A proper release results in the appropriate amount of stored energy imparted to and through the ball, as well as, the ideal combination of revs, axis rotation, tilt, and ball speed (achieving a skid, hook and roll ball motion). The outcome will be that the bowling ball will reach its intended target with the required ball speed and ball motion. As the accumulation of strikes in a game, results in a higher scoring potential, consistently hitting the pocket at the ideal angle of entry with the desired impact, will result in maximum pin action, and, ideally, the bowler will be rewarded with a strike.
When worn, the present bowling aid device provides the bowler with an increased level of repeatability at achieving increased rev potential with each shot that he/she would otherwise be unable to realize or replicate on a consistent and continuous basis under the limitations of the bowlers' natural abilities and due to the ever-present dilemma of perspiration, which is a natural, yet undesired ingredient of the activity and sport of bowling. It is further among the goals of the present bowling aid device which may be formed from either alone or in combination with such other complimentary materials, such as neoprene, coated or laminated fabric or, a similar material; the variety of elastomers and neoprene or similar neoprene-like materials to be used in various geometric distributions, and in various levels of thickness and hardness in order to provide the bowler ball release off the hand.
The bowling aid device offers the bowler an additional feature of an attached support tension strap, which secures over the bowling aid device around the base of the bowler's palm area, via a fastening device such as a hook and loop-type closure system, secured with a material such as VELCRO®. A good example of such a hook and loop clasp is sold under the trademark VELCRO®; however, other mechanisms such as buttons may be employed and are contemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention.
To place and secure the present bowling aid device to the hand in one aspect, the bowling aid device is opened and placed over the hand in a sandwich or clam-like manner, the palm, back of the hand, The sandwich-like bowling aid device may be secured to the hand with an adjustable support tension strap located all the way around the approximate back, front and middle of the hand.
For even greater revolutions of the bowling ball, another aspect is made for the wrist area an attached support tension strap, which secures over the bowling aid around the base of the bowler's wrist area, via a hook and loop-type closure system, secured with a material such as VELCRO®
In view of the foregoing, other aspects, features, and details of the present bowling aid device can be more completely understood by reference to the following descriptions in conjunction with the drawings and from the appended claims. Although the foregoing includes a description of one or more examples for carrying out the invention, various modifications are conceivable.
As various modifications could be made in the construction of the present bowling aid device herein described and illustrated without departing or deviating from the scope and fair meaning of the invention and the subjoined claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting.
The exterior palm surface 116 may include a first palm fastening device 141 which may be positioned on the exterior palm surface 116 to cooperate and detachably connect with a first strap fastening device 143 which may be positioned on the first strap interior surface 145 to detachably fasten the first bowling aid device 100 to the user. The first palm fastening device 141 may extend across the exterior palm surface 116 above the thumb of the user but below the top palm surface 117. A second palm fastening device 147 which may be positioned on the exterior palm surface 116 to cooperate and detachably connect with a second strap fastening device 149 which may be positioned on the second strap interior surface 151 to detachably fasten the first bowling aid device 100 to the user. The fastening devices (except where otherwise noted) of the present invention may be a combination of Velcro which may be hooks and loops, buttons or other fastening devices.
The exterior palm surface 116 may include a first palm fastening device 141 which may be positioned on the exterior palm surface 116 to cooperate with a first strap fastening device 143 which may be positioned on the first strap interior surface 145 to fasten the first bowling aid device 100 to the user. The first palm fastening device 141 may extend across the exterior palm surface 116 above the thumb of the user but below the top palm surface 117. A second palm fastening device 147 which may be positioned on the exterior palm surface 116 to cooperate with a second strap fastening device 149 which may be positioned on the second strap interior surface 151 to fasten the first bowling aid device 100 to the user. The second palm fastening device 147 may be positioned below the thumb of the user in order to cooperate with the second strap fastening device 149. The fastening devices (except where otherwise noted) of the present invention may be a combination of Velcro which may be hooks and loops, buttons or other fastening devices.
One knowledgeable in the art of bowling immediately recognizes that a strong, frictional ball release off of the two middle fingers, specifically, the ring finger and the middle finger, as illustrated translates into the potential of imparting a high degree of stored ball energy, resulting in an increase in ball “rev” potential and effective ball motion. This should result in a more effective pin scattering at point of impact between ball and pins, ultimately increasing scoring potential.
A bowling aid device may include a palm portion configured to accommodate a bowler's hand, a wrist portion configured to accommodate a bowler's hand a coupling portion being coupled to a back of the hand portion.
The bowling aid device may include at least two strap fastener portion, and the palm portion may include a fabric, and the coupling portion may include a fabric.
The fabric may include a rigid material, and the bowling aid device may include a back of the band portion which may include a fabric material.
The bowling aid device may include at least two strap fastener portions which may include a fabric.
The bowling aid device may include a rigid yet flexible, and breathable material, and the bowling aid device may include a rigid metal material.
Therefore it is desirable to provide a bowler's aid that would prevent the friction-generating contact between the ball and top of the thumb during release of the ball.
It is also desirable to provide a device that can be quickly and easily applied to the bowler's hand and which will interfere as little as possible with the normal functions of the hand.
It is further desirable to provide a bowler's aid in accordance with the foregoing objects which shall be economical, durable, and constructed of a resilient material that permits the thumb to no engagement with the ball.
Additional objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description and appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed.
Claims
1) A bowling aid device for use with a bowling ball, comprising:
- a first strap;
- a second strap;
- a palm portion to cooperate with a palm of the user;
- wherein the first strap is detachably connected to the palm portion;
- wherein the second strap is detachably connected to the palm portion;
- wherein the bowling aid device includes a thumb replacement device to cooperate with a thumb hole of a bowling ball for use by the user.
2) A bowling aid device for use with a bowling ball as in claim 1, wherein the first strap extends over the thumb of the user.
3) A bowling aid device for use with a bowling ball as in claim 1, wherein the second strap extends beneath the thumb of the user.
4) A bowling aid device for use with a bowling ball, comprising:
- a first strap;
- a second strap;
- a cylindrical wrist portion to cooperate with a wrist of the user;
- wherein the first strap is detachably connected to the cylindrical wrist portion;
- wherein the second strap is detachably connected to the cylindrical wrist portion;
- wherein the bowling aid device includes a thumb replacement device to cooperate with a thumb hole of a bowling ball for use by the user.
5) A bowling aid device for use with a bowling ball as in claim 4, wherein the cylindrical wrist portion is compressible around the wrist of the user.
6) A bowling aid device for use with a bowling ball as in claim 1, wherein the first strap extends over the wrist of the user.
7) A bowling aid device for use with a bowling ball as in claim 1, wherein the second strap extends over the wrist of the user.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 27, 2010
Publication Date: Mar 1, 2012
Inventor: Timothy Russell Collinsworth (Canton, TX)
Application Number: 12/870,610
International Classification: A63F 7/00 (20060101);
