BOWLING AID

Abstract

A system for enhancing ball control by a bowler when swinging and releasing a bowling ball, and corresponding method of formation, are disclosed. A rigid sleeve is placed over the thumb of the bowler. The rigid sleeve is dimensioned and configured to fit in close cooperation with and slide readily along a thumbhole of the bowling ball, and to grip and be retained on the thumb. The thumb and rigid sleeve are inserted in the thumbhole. The bowling ball is then swung and released, while retaining the rigid sleeve on the thumb. The interior of the rigid sleeve may be coated with a tacky substance or may have installed thereon a shimming material. When swinging and releasing the bowling ball, the thumb and rigid sleeve may be withdrawn from the thumbhole prior to fingers being withdrawn from the finger holes. Ends of the rigid sleeve may be rounded to eliminate sharp edges.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/133,663, filed Mar. 16, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the bowling arts, and more specifically to advances in ball control in the bowling arts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bowling requires bowlers to hold a bowling ball, to accelerate the bowling ball towards a distant array of bowling pins by swinging the bowling ball, and to release the accelerated bowling ball in the direction of the pins. Success of each throw of the bowling ball requires that the bowling ball be carefully aimed at a pocket of the array, or towards specific pins, where some pins have already been knocked down. Bowling balls have sufficient weight so that maneuvering the bowling ball during release entails a number of problems. One problem is that the ball must be grasped with sufficient force to maintain manual control. Another is to avoid altering intended spin or “English” of the bowling ball and the trajectory of the bowling ball during release of grasp. Even if these objectives can be achieved, there remains the issue of injury to the hand. The thumb and fingers of a bowler are subject to chafing, forming of blisters and calluses, cuts, and other problems by contact with the thumbhole of the bowling ball. There remains a need in bowling for a device which eases the burden of supporting, aiming, and releasing a bowling ball.

SUMMARY

The above noted problems are addressed by a bowling aid including a rigid sleeve enveloping the thumb of the bowler. The rigid sleeve encases that portion of the thumb occupying the thumbhole of a bowling ball, and may project outside the thumbhole. The rigid sleeve is worn on the thumb during the act of accelerating and releasing the bowling ball, and remains on the thumb throughout the entire throw.

The exterior of the rigid sleeve has low friction characteristics, so that the rigid sleeve slides along the thumbhole without significant resistance as the thumb and rigid sleeve pull away from the bowling ball during release.

Optionally, internal frictional characteristics of the rigid sleeve may be increased by use of a solid lining, such as a natural or synthetic rubber sheath which contacts the interior of the rigid sleeve, or by a tacky substance coating the interior of the rigid sleeve. A solid lining may also be used to improve fit of the thumb to the interior of the rigid sleeve.

Use of the rigid sleeve, with or without frictional enhancement of the interior surface, overcomes the manual effort of grasping a bowling ball without such a rigid sleeve. Also, the thumb is protected from abrasion, pinching, and other causes of injury to the thumb. More specifically, the sleeve eliminates injured thumb knuckles, sides, and webbing of the thumb. Elimination of effort and injury free the bowler from distractions which otherwise tend to distort the ideal motion of the hand when releasing the bowling ball from manual grasp. This improves the ability of a bowler to control the ball, at a conscious level, a subconscious level, or both. Ball accuracy, ball speed and revolution rate, and hence favorable bowling results are thereby enhanced.

Because of reduced attention and effort required when releasing a bowling ball, consistency of control and effort from one swing and release of a bowling ball to subsequent swings and releases is improved.

The Applicant has from experience found that when releasing or launching a bowling ball, a greater degree of control of its movement may be exercised by first quickly releasing the thumb from the thumbhole during the swinging of the ball prior to the launching of the same while permitting the two fingers to dwell in the finger holes until the ball reaches a more advanced position. By first quickly releasing the thumb while the two fingers remain in the finger holes, the rotation motion of the ball may be regulated at its time of launching to more accurately direct the ball toward the particular location where it is desired to strike the pins, thus making it possible to substantially increase effectiveness of the throw or launch. Use of the novel sleeve results in effortless thumb release, without distortion of the trajectory of the bowling ball, as though the thumb were not in a hole in the bowling ball. Among other effects, a bowler will be able to generate ball rotation rates similar to competitors who do not insert the thumb into the ball.

In a further improvement, a bowling ball may be provided with a positive axis point indicator.

In another improvement, the rigid sleeve may bear raised indicia.

It is an object to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof by apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable, and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

These and other objects will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the disclosure will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an environmental plan view of a rigid sleeve to be used to enhance ball control by a bowler, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an environmental perspective view of the rigid sleeve of FIG. 1 worn on the thumb of the bowler and inserted into a bowling ball;

FIG. 3 is an environmental cross sectional view of the rigid sleeve of FIG. 1, shown installed in a thumbhole of the bowling ball of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional side view of the rigid sleeve of FIG. 1, showing a tacky substance applied to the interior of the rigid sleeve;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional side view of the rigid sleeve of FIG. 1, showing a shimming material lining the interior of the rigid sleeve;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a bowling ball improved by the rigid sleeve of FIGS. 4 and 5; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of optional indicia on the rigid sleeve of FIGS. 4 and 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring first to FIG. 1, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure, there is shown a rigid sleeve 100 shown placed over a thumb 2 of a hand 4 of a bowler (not shown in his or her entirety). The tip 6 of thumb 2 is shown projecting outside rigid sleeve 100 to the right, as seen in FIG. 1. Rigid sleeve 100 may if desired be long enough to enclose tip 6 of thumb 2.

In certain exemplary embodiments, rigid sleeve 100 may comprise a length of tubing material such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubing. PVC tubing of the type commonly sold at retail facilities/stores for household plumbing is suitable, although furniture grade PVC tubing is currently regarded as having desirable additional properties. In exemplary embodiments, these properties include strength, ultraviolet radiation resistance, commercial availability in diverse colors, low or no toxicity, and glossy surface finish. The latter characteristic may result in a quicker release from a bowler's grasp, compared to other grades of PVC tubing. This type of product also exhibits suitable friction characteristics for the outside surface 108 of rigid sleeve 100. The friction characteristics are those that would avoid altering the trajectory of a bowling ball 10 or spin or rotation characteristics of bowling ball 10 when throwing or releasing bowling ball 10 from the grasp of the bowler.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary grasp of bowling ball 10 by the bowler, wherein rigid sleeve 100 is installed on thumb 2 of the bowler, and inserted into a thumbhole 8 of bowling ball 10. A portion 110 of rigid sleeve 100 is exposed outside thumbhole 8. Fingers 12 of the bowler are inserted into respective finger holes 14 of bowling ball 10.

FIG. 3 illustrates representative seating of rigid sleeve 100 within thumbhole 8. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, overall length 106 (see FIG. 4) of rigid sleeve 100 is greater than the depth 16 of thumbhole 8.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 3-5 but also to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown one exemplary embodiment of a bowler's aid 90 for engaging and releasing a bowling ball 10. In this exemplary embodiment, bowler's aid 100 comprises a rigid sleeve 100 having a length 106 of 1.0 to 2.0 inches, an interior diameter 104 of 0.8 to 1.2 inches, an outside diameter 102 of 1.0 to 1.5 inches, a first rounded end 18, and an opposed second rounded end 18. The final length 106 may be determined based on comfort of and ease of use by the bowler. If desired, in an exemplary embodiment length 106 of rigid sleeve 100 may be such that rigid sleeve 100 is entirely contained within thumbhole 8. Outside and interior diameters 102 and 104, length 106, and outside surface 108 are identified in FIG. 4.

It should be noted that in the aforementioned exemplary embodiment first and second rounded ends 18 are rounded both at the exterior of rigid sleeve 100 and also at the interior thereof. This minimizes frictional engagement of edges of rigid sleeve 100 when a bowler inserts his thumb 2 into the bowling aid. In one exemplary implementation of FIGS. 1-5, rigid sleeve 100 comprises polyvinyl chloride constituency. In additional implementations, other materials, such as metals and alloys, wood, other plastics, ceramics, and combinations of these are used to comprise any portion of or the entirety of rigid sleeve 100.

Turning momentarily to FIG. 5, optionally, the bowler's aid may further comprise a shim 114 inside an interior surface 116 of rigid sleeve 100. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, shim 114 is annular, so that it both cooperates with interior surface 116 and also presents a similarly configured surface for engagement of thumb 2 after shim 114 has been installed in rigid sleeve 100.

In another exemplary embodiment, shown in FIG. 4, the bowler's aid of FIGS. 1-5 further comprises a tacky substance 112 on interior surface 116 of rigid sleeve 100. In this particular illustrated embodiment, tacky substance 112 covers a first portion of interior surface 116 and is absent on a second portion of interior surface 116. That portion of interior surface 116 on which tacky substance 112 is absent is shown unstippled in FIG. 4. In the example of FIG. 4, the first portion of interior surface 116 covered by tacky substance 112 accounts for more than half of interior surface 116. The first portion of interior surface 116 covered by tacky substance 112 extends to one rounded end 18 and does not extend to the opposed rounded end 18.

In certain embodiments, tacky substance 112 may be for example a commercially available spray or viscous fluid adhesive. Shimming material 114 may be a fabric, vinyl adhesive tape, or a natural or synthetic rubber sleeve, among other possibilities.

FIG. 4 shows a tacky substance 112 applied as a thin film or coating on a portion of the interior surface 116 of rigid sleeve 100. The thin film may be for example 0.001 to 0.020 inch in thickness, and may cover for example 0.75 to 1.0 inch along length 106 of rigid sleeve 100. FIG. 5 shows a shimming material 114 installed on a portion of interior surface 116. Tacky substance 112 or shimming material 114 may be employed where the fit of rigid sleeve 100 over thumb 2 is not tight enough to assure that rigid sleeve 100 will be retained on thumb 2 when thumb 2 is withdrawn from thumbhole 8 when releasing bowling ball 10 from the grasp of the bowler.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the bowler's aid may further comprise indicia formed as raised symbols 120 on the outside surface 108 of rigid sleeve 100. To form raised symbols 120, the constituent material of rigid sleeve 100, if formed from a synthetic resin, may be heated until localized swelling occurs.

In certain exemplary embodiments, a matched set of bowling ball 10 and a bowler's aid for engaging and releasing bowling ball 10 are provided. The matched set may comprise bowling ball 10 including a plurality of finger holes 14, and a thumbhole 8 having an internal diameter 16 and a depth 18. The matched set may also include a bowler's aid comprising rigid sleeve 100 having an outside diameter 102 slightly less than the internal diameter of thumbhole 8, length 106 greater than depth 18 of thumbhole 8. In certain exemplary embodiments, the length 106 of rigid sleeve 100 may be 1.0 to 2.0 inches, or on that order, the interior diameter 104 of rigid sleeve 100 may be 0.8 to 1.2 inches, or on that order, and the outside diameter 102 of rigid sleeve 100 may be 1.0 to 1.5 inches, or on that order. Rigid sleeve 100 may also include a first rounded end 18 and an opposed rounded end 18.

In certain exemplary matched set embodiments, rigid sleeve 100 may comprise polyvinyl chloride (PVC) constituency.

An exemplary such matched set may further comprise shim 114 inside interior surface 116 of rigid sleeve 100. In the matched set, shim 114 may be annular.

The matched set may further comprise tacky substance 112 on interior surface 116 of rigid sleeve 100. Tacky substance 112 may comprise general purpose adhesives, plastic materials which naturally expose textured surfaces such as bubbles and wrinkles. It may also comprise any other known material or known combinations known to skilled persons.

In one exemplary embodiment of the matched set, tacky substance 112 covers a first portion of interior surface 116 and is absent on a second portion of interior surface 116 (e.g., that portion of interior surface shown without stippling in FIG. 4), the first portion of interior surface 116 covered by tacky substance 112 accounts for more than half of interior surface 116, and the first portion of interior surface 116 covered by tacky substance 112 extends to one rounded end 18 and does not extend to an opposed rounded end 18.

Turning now to FIG. 6, the matched set may further comprise a visual axis indicator 118 located at an intersection of an axis of rotation 22 and a hypothetical extension of thumbhole 8. In FIG. 6, visual axis indicator 118 is a positive axis point indicator. If desired, visual axis indicator 118 could be located to indicate the negative axis. Two visual axis indicators 118 could be provided to indicate both positive and negative axis points, via appropriate positioning on bowling ball 10.

In the example of FIG. 6, visual axis indicator 118 may comprise an annular ring inset in bowling ball 10. The annular ring may be flush with the outer surface of bowling ball 10, or alternatively, may be slightly recessed into bowling ball 10. Bowling ball 10 may be drilled to the same diameter as thumbhole 8 to receive the annular ring. The annular ring may be taken for example from the stock material used for rigid sleeve 100.

The above described items may be utilized in a method of enhancing ball control by a bowler when swinging and releasing bowling ball 10. In one example of the method of enhancing ball control by the bowler when swinging and releasing the bowling ball in the grip of the bowler comprises lining a thumbhole of the bowling ball with an annular rigid hole liner (e.g., rigid sleeve 100) having an external slide surface 108 slidably engaging a surface of thumbhole 8, wherein the annular rigid hole liner is sufficiently rigid to avoid deformation when subjected to contact with hand 4 of the bowler while bowling, and is dimensioned and configured to fit in close cooperation with and slide readily along thumbhole 8 of bowling ball 10. The method further comprises slidably withdrawing the annular rigid hole liner from thumbhole 8 when the ball (i.e., bowling ball 10) is released from the grip of the bowler.

The method may further comprise coating at least a portion of an interior of the annular rigid hole liner (e.g., interior surface 116 of rigid sleeve 100) with tacky substance 112 prior to swinging and releasing bowling ball 10.

The method optionally further comprises reducing interior diameter 104 of at least a portion of the annular rigid hole liner (rigid sleeve 100) prior to swinging and releasing bowling ball 10.

The method further comprises rounding at least a portion of at least one end of the annular rigid hole liner (e.g., resulting in rounded ends 18) prior to swinging and releasing bowling ball 10.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what are considered the most practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the present embodiments are not to be limited to the disclosed arrangements, but rather the description is intended to cover various arrangements which are included within the spirit and scope of the broadest possible interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all modifications and equivalent arrangements which are possible.

It should be understood that the various examples of the apparatus(es) disclosed herein may include any of the components, features, and functionalities of any of the other examples of the apparatus(es) disclosed herein in any feasible combination, and all of such possibilities are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Many modifications of examples set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.

Claims

1. A method of forming a bowling ball to enhance ball control by a bowler when swinging and releasing the bowling ball in a grip of the bowler, comprising:

lining a thumbhole of the bowling ball with an annular rigid hole liner comprising an external slide surface slidably engaging a surface of a thumbhole of the bowling ball;

forming the annular rigid hole liner to be is sufficiently rigid to avoid deformation thereof when subjected to contact with a hand of the bowler, to be configured to fit in close cooperation with and slide readily along the thumbhole and to be slidably withdrawn from the thumbhole when the ball is released from the grip of the bowler.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising coating at least a portion of an interior of the annular rigid hole liner with a tacky substance prior to swinging and releasing the bowling ball.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising forming an interior diameter of at least a portion of the annular rigid hole liner enabled to be reduced in diameter prior to usage thereof in swinging and releasing a said bowling ball.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising forming at least a portion of at least one end of the annular rigid hole liner to be rounded prior to usage thereof in swinging and releasing a said bowling ball.

5. A bowler's aid for engaging and releasing a bowling ball, the bowler's aid comprising:

a rigid sleeve having a length of approximately 1.0 to 2.0 inches;

an interior diameter approximately of 0.8 to 1.2 inches;

an outside diameter approximately of 1.0 to 1.5 inches;

a first rounded end; and

an opposed second rounded end.

6. The bowler's aid of claim 5, wherein the constituency of the rigid sleeve comprises polyvinyl chloride.

7. The bowler's aid of claim 5, further comprising a shim inside an interior surface of the rigid sleeve.

8. The bowler's aid of claim 7, wherein the shim is of an annular shape.

9. The bowler's aid of claim 5, further comprising a tacky substance covering a first portion of an interior surface of the rigid sleeve.

10. The bowler's aid of claim 9, wherein the tacky substance covers a first portion of the interior surface.

11. The bowler's aid of claim 10, wherein the first portion of the interior surface covered by the tacky substance accounts for more than half of the entirety of the interior surface.

12. The bowler's aid of claim 10, wherein the first portion of the interior surface covered by the tacky substance extends to one rounded end and does not extend to the opposed rounded end.

13. The bowler's aid of claim 5, further comprising indicia formed as raised symbols on the outside surface of the rigid sleeve.

14. A matched set of a bowling ball and a bowler's aid for engaging and releasing the bowling ball, the matched set comprising:

a bowling ball comprising a plurality of finger holes and a thumbhole; and

a bowler's aid comprising a rigid sleeve, the outside diameter thereof being less than the internal diameter of the thumbhole, the length of the rigid sleeve being greater than the depth of the thumbhole, the length of the rigid sleeve being approximately 1.0 to 2.0 inches, the interior diameter being approximately 0.8 to 1.2 inches, and the outside diameter being approximately 1.0 to 1.5 inches, the rigid sleeve further comprising a first rounded end and an opposed rounded end.

15. The matched set of claim 14, wherein the constituency of the rigid sleeve comprises polyvinyl chloride.

16. The matched set of claim 14, further comprising a shim inside an interior surface of the rigid sleeve, the shim being of an annular shape.

17. The matched set of claim 16, wherein the tacky substance covers a first portion of said interior surface, wherein the first portion being covered by the tacky substance accounts for more than half of the interior surface, and wherein the first portion being covered by the tacky substance extends to the first rounded end without extending to the opposed rounded end.

18. The matched set of claim 14, further comprising a visual axis indicator located at an intersection of an axis of rotation and a hypothetical extension of the thumbhole.

19. The matched set of claim 18, wherein the visual axis indicator is a positive axis point indicator.

20. The matched set of claim 18, wherein the visual axis indicator comprises an annular ring inset in the bowling ball.