Abstract: Kettlebell embodiments with improved ergonomics. In some embodiments, the weight of the kettlebell is also adjustable. The kettlebell has handle portions that are angled relative to each other that extend in a generally horizontal plane. In use, these handle configurations result in improved ergonomics. The kettlebell handles enable the users to grab the kettlebell with two hands with improved balance and range of motion.

Abstract: A kettle bell including a weighted mass and a handle or grasping ring extending from an upper portion of the mass, and at least one opening or receiver formed through at least a portion of the mass and/or handle. In example embodiments, the at least one opening or receiver is provided for accommodating interengagement with the end male receivers of a barbell or other exercise device.

Abstract: A weighted stretching and strengthening device for exercise. This invention encourages a proper conditioning of the body's muscles and joints before playing in any sport that requires a swinging motion. This device enables the player to establish end range movements in the upper body, increases stamina to enhance a players striking ability, and, in turn, could help reduce injuries. This invention provides the player with a universal warm up and strengthening device that is durable, safe and easy to use.

Abstract: A method produces a composite material using a mixing system. The composite material comprises at least one aggregate, e.g. rock and/or glass, and the reaction product of a two-component polymeric binder composition comprising a first component, e.g. an isocyanate component, and a second component, e.g. an isocyanate-reactive component. The mixing system includes a mixing apparatus. The method includes the step of providing the aggregate, the first component and the second component into the mixing apparatus. The method further includes the step of mixing the first and second components to produce the reaction product of the two-component polymeric binder composition, and the step of applying the reaction product of the two-component polymeric binder composition to the aggregate within the mixing apparatus to produce the composite material. The composite material can be used for forming a paved structure, such as a sidewalk or a roadway.

Abstract: A kettlebell may comprise a main body configured to retain one or more removable exercise weights and a handle connected to the main body at two attachment points on a top side of the main body. The main body may have an opening disposed on the top side and between the two attachment points configured to receive the one or more removable exercise weights.

Abstract: A kettlebell may comprise a main body configured to retain one or more removable exercise weights and a handle connected to the main body at two attachment points on a top side of the main body. The main body may have an opening disposed on the top side and between the two attachment points configured to receive the one or more removable exercise weights.

Abstract: An adjustable weight kettlebell which allows a user to easily adjust the overall weight. The kettlebell includes a handle, a grasping hole, a central shaft, a locking mechanism, a stopper plate, a shaft-receiving tube, a locking collar, and an at least one weight plate. The grasping hole traverses through the handle. The shaft-receiving tube is perimetrically connected to the handle, perpendicular to the grasping hole. The central shaft is concentrically attached within the shaft-receiving tube by the locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism is mechanically integrated between the shaft-receiving tube and the central shaft. The central shaft retains and support the weight plate. The central shaft traverses through a mounting hole of the weight plate. The stopper plate is normally connected to the central shaft, opposite the handle, to retain the weight plate. The locking collar secures the weight plate in place and is slidably engaged to the central shaft.

Abstract: Apparatuses and systems for a variable weight medicine ball are disclosed. The ball may comprise an outer shell, an interior, and a radius, and an opening forming a portion of the outer shell that provides access to the interior. The ball may also comprise at least one exercise weight cavity in the interior configured to receive one or more exercise weights and a filling material disposed in the interior, between the plurality of weight cavities and the outer shell. The ball may further comprise one or more balance weights that are different from the exercise weights fixedly disposed within the filling material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are for decorating bowling balls. A spherical bowling ball inner core has opposing first and second hemispheres. Pressure is applied to adhere a first portion of a conformable decorative first film of material onto the first hemisphere. A combination of pressure and vacuum is applied to adhere a second portion of the first film of material onto the first hemisphere. Pressure is applied to adhere a first portion of a conformable decorative second film of material onto the second hemisphere. A combination of pressure and vacuum is applied to adhere a second portion of the second film of material onto the second hemisphere. Thereafter the bowling ball inner core is covered with a transparent outer cover.

Abstract: A bowling ball with an indicia is provided. A method for manufacturing such a bowling ball is also provided. The indicia may be preformed and attached to the core of the bowling ball before the outer layer of the bowling ball is created.

Abstract: Bowling ball accessories can add both amusement as well as educational value to the activity. Adding lights can make both a visually appealing display as well as a visual feedback to the bowler on spin. Adding telemetry sensors and recording devices can assist serious bowlers in their quest to perfect their game. Adding ID devices can assist in rental programs, anti-theft and personalization.

Abstract: A bowling ball with an indicia is provided. A method for manufacturing such a bowling ball is also provided. The indicia may be preformed and attached to the core of the bowling ball before the outer layer of the bowling ball is created.

Abstract: A bowling ball with an indicia is provided. A method for manufacturing such a bowling ball is also provided. The indicia may be preformed and attached to the core of the bowling ball before the outer layer of the bowling ball is created.

Abstract: A system and method for graphically and statistically analyzing and predicting the motion of a bowling ball. In one embodiment, the system includes an automatic precision ball thrower, a computer aided tracking system (“C.A.T.S.”), and a computing device. Certain static properties of the bowling ball are recorded as independent variables. The automatic precision ball thrower is used to throw the bowling ball down the lane a number of times and the C.A.T.S. records various dynamic characteristics of its path. This data is received by the computing device which uses it to calculate a plurality of dependent variables associated with the path of the bowling ball. The computing device relates the independent variables to the dependent variables using multivariable regression analysis, yielding a set of equations which can be used to predict the dependent variables (or dynamic characteristics) of a second bowling ball given a set of independent variables (or static characteristics of the second bowling ball).

Abstract: A scented article of manufacture, such as a bowling ball, including a mass of polymeric material. The mass of polymeric material is substantially nonporous and may be substantially rigid. Polyurethane may be used as the polymeric material. A method by which the article of manufacture is formed includes blending fragrance with a liquid or liquified material, substantially removing gas and gas bubbles from the mixture of fragrance and liquid or liquified material, introducing the mixture into a cavity of a mold, and permitting or causing at least the liquid or liquified material within the cavity to cure.

Abstract: A bowling ball including a spherical mass and at least one fragrance in at least a portion of the spherical mass. The at least one fragrance may be dispersed throughout or embedded in the spherical mass. A pigment may also be included in the spherical mass to impart the bowling ball with a color. The color of the pigment may correspond to a scent of the fragrance. A bowling ball including a mass comprising a polymer and at least one fragrance included in at least a portion of the mass is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bowling ball including a rubber material and at least one fragrance. The rubber material may be substantially nonporous and substantially rigid. Polyurethane may be used as the rubber material. The bowling ball may, optionally, include a pigment. A method by which the bowling ball is formed includes dissolving the fragrance in a polyol, adding a catalyst, introducing the mixture into a mold, and polymerizing the mixture.

Abstract: A bowling ball including a rubber material and at least one fragrance. The rubber material may be substantially nonporous and substantially rigid. Polyurethane may be used as the rubber material. The bowling ball may, optionally, include a pigment. A method by which the bowling ball is formed includes dissolving the fragrance in a polyol, adding a catalyst, introducing the mixture into a mold, and polymerizing the mixture.

Abstract: A composite article comprises a first layer resulting from the reaction of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer and a second layer different than the first layer and resulting from the reaction of an isocyanate-reactive resin and a polyisocyanate. Adhesion promoter is dispersed in at least one of the first layer and the second layer. The adhesion promoter comprises a first reactive end group selected from the group of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, an ethylenically unsaturated acrylate monomer, an ethylenically unsaturated methacrylate monomer, or a combination thereof and a second reactive end group that reacts with isocyanate. The adhesion promoter reacts into the first and second layers through differentially reactive groups such that the adhesion promoter is compatible with the first and second layers to improve adhesion therebetween. A method of forming the composite article is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bowling practice device for regularizing and perfecting bowling technique. An aerodynamically designed hollow body includes an outer wall and a cylindrical inner wall. The opposed ends of the outer wall taper to meet the cylindrical inner wall. The outer wall preferably comprises a plurality of foam panels, one of which includes at least two finger holes suitable for personalization to the hand of the bowler.

Abstract: A device for determining the placement of gripping holes with respect to the pin and/or the center of gravity and/or the mass bias of a bowling ball has a meridian plane indicator, a vertical axis plane indicator and a horizontal axis plane indicator. The meridian plane indicator has a scale which determines the distance between placements of finger holes and a thumb hole for bowling balls. The vertical axis plane indicator has a scale which determines the distance from the horizontal axis plane to the location of the positive axis point. The horizontal axis plane indicator has two scales; the first determines the distance between the meridian plane and the vertical axis plane about the surface of the ball along the horizontal axis plane, the second scale determines the angular displacement of the meridian plane and the vertical axis plane.

Abstract: A loss control device is embedded within a sporting good such as a bowling ball or bowling shoe such that it does not interfere with the operation of the sporting good. The loss control device may be embedded within the sporting good in such a way that it is hidden from the user. A recreation center in which a number of sporting goods are rented or lent out may be outfitted with one or more sensor devices near one or more of its exits. At least some of the sporting goods provided for rental or lending include embedded loss control devices that are sensed by the sensor devices, such that attempted removal of the sporting goods from the sporting facility is detected by the sensor devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for transferring a decorative image to a bowling ball by sublimation from a transfer sheet. The method includes applying at least one transfer sheet containing sublimation inks representing a decoration, such as an image or graphic, to the outer surface of the bowling ball and transferring the decoration from the transfer sheet to the bowling ball by applying sufficient heat and pressure to sublimate the inks. A heat press apparatus is one exemplary apparatus that is contemplated for providing the heat and pressure. The heat and pressure may be maintained after sublimation to allow the inks to penetrate beneath the outer surface of the bowling ball. This allows decorating the bowling ball with a durable image or graphic that does not does not affect the performance of the bowling ball. The decoration may cover the entire bowling ball, or any portion thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making and/or decorating bowling balls and the like includes flexible transfer sheets with heat-activated ink applied to at least portions thereof. A form or mold with opposite halves, which shift between open and closed positions, includes a cavity sized to closely receive therein the article to be decorated. At least one transfer sheet is positioned in the mold with the article, such that when the mold is closed, the same are captured in the mold cavity in an overlying relationship. Heat is applied to the mold to a predetermined temperature causing the article to expand through thermal expansion, which expansion is resisted by the mold to uniformly press the transfer sheet against the underlying outer surface of the article, and also causing the heat-activated ink to transfer from the transfer sheet to the outer surface of the article to form the design thereon.

Abstract: A device for locating bowling ball gripping apertures with respect to a bowling ball weight block angle inherent to that particular bowling ball and the track of a particular bowler. One embodiment of the device includes a curved base portion adapted to substantially rest on a curved surface of a bowling ball, the perimeter of the base portion including degree indicators and the center of the base portion including a hole, at least four curved angle indicator arms adapted to substantially rest on a curved surface of the bowling ball, the angle indicator arms including length measurement indicators, the angle indicator arms connected with and extending from the curved base portion, and at least two of the angle indicator arms are adapted to rotate about the center of the curved base portion.

Abstract: A bowling ball having an internal weight whose position along a spin axis is adjustable by operation of a drive means which in turn is operative to rotate a threaded nut sleeve that supports the weight. The rotation is about a threaded, non-rotatable weight shaft that extends along the spin axis. This threadably advances the nut sleeve and the weight along the length of the weight shaft, thereby altering the center of gravity and path of the ball after it is released by the bowler.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making and/or decorating bowling balls and the like includes flexible transfer sheets with heat-activated ink applied to at least portions thereof. A form or mold with opposite halves, which shift between open and closed positions, includes a cavity sized to closely receive therein the article to be decorated. At least one transfer sheet is positioned in the mold with the article, such that when the mold is closed, the same are captured in the mold cavity in an overlying relationship. Heat is applied to the mold to a predetermined temperature causing the article to expand through thermal expansion, which expansion is resisted by the mold to uniformly press the transfer sheet against the underlying outer surface of the article, and also causing the heat-activated ink to transfer from the transfer sheet to the outer surface of the article to form the design thereon.

Abstract: A scented article of manufacture, such as a bowling ball, including a mass of polymeric material. The mass of polymeric material is substantially nonporous and may be substantially rigid. Polyurethane may be used as the polymeric material. A method by which the article of manufacture is formed includes blending fragrance with a liquid or liquified material, substantially removing gas and gas bubbles from the mixture of fragrance and liquid or liquified material, introducing the mixture into a cavity of a mold, and permitting or causing at least the liquid or liquified material within the cavity to cure.

Abstract: A bowling ball having an internal weight whose position is adjustable by a remote controller for altering the path of the ball after it is released by the player.

Abstract: A method of applying an image to bowling balls. The method includes printing the image onto a transfer sheet with sublimation inks. The printed transfer sheet is placed to envelope an outer surface layer formed of polyester or urethane of a bowling ball. Heat and pressure is applied uniformly to the transfer sheet to cause the sublimation inks to diffuse into the polyester or urethane surface layer of the bowling ball. A high quality durable image is thus applied to the bowling ball without affecting the performance or altering surface of the bowling ball.

Abstract: An impact illuminated bowling ball including a light transmitting core, a pair of LEDs embedded in the core, a piezoelectric transducer embedded in the core and electrically connected to the LEDs. A shock amplifying mechanism in the form of a steel ball is located in operative engagement with the piezoelectric transducer. A rechargeable electric battery in the core is electrically connected to a solar electric collector for recharging. An integrated timing circuit is used to continue illumination during start or stop times when the transducer is actuated by an impact of the bowling ball.

Abstract: A method for adapting a relatively small number of bowling balls for use in testing by a relatively large number of bowlers having different hand sizes. The method includes the steps of predrilling a pair of finger holes of a standard size in each of a relatively small number of bowling balls, which finger holes are shaped to receive removable finger inserts of varying sizes. The next step is the predrilling of a thumb hole in each of a relatively small number of bowling balls with the thumb hole in each bowling ball being located at a different, predetermined distance from a pair of finger holes so that each of the thumb holes of the bowling balls are at a different distance from a pair of finger holes. The following step is the installation of a removable insert in each of the thumb holes. Finally, the removable thumb insert is sized to accommodate the thumb of a particular bowler.

Abstract: Sporting apparatus and environment are disclosed for playing a sport in low ambient light. At least a portion of the playing field for playing the sport is fluorescent as well as at least one of the playing objects on the playing field. The playing field and playing objects are subjected to ultraviolet light to illuminate the fluorescent portions thereof. The playing apparatus of the present invention is particularly adapted for bowling when at least one of the pins of a rack of pins is fluorescent as well as portions of the bowling lane. Additionally, the bowler apparel and portions of the bowling ball may be fluorescent. These features are combined to improve the overall appeal and participation of the sport.

Abstract: A chemically adsorbed film having a surface layer containing fluorine groups and a stem layer chemically bonded by siloxane bonds to a substrate is formed on the surface of a frictional portion of a machine part such as a gear or a bearing or on the surface of a game ball. An excellently self-lubricating low frictional resistance machine part or game ball thus can be obtained. A frictional portion of a gear or the like, made of SiO.sub.2 or like ceramic material, is dipped and held in a solution containing a surface active material, e.g., CF.sub.3 (CF.sub.2).sub.7 (CH.sub.2).sub.2 SiCl.sub.3 dissolved in a non-aqueous solvent. A hydrochloric acid removal reaction is brought about between SiCl groups of the material, which contains a fluorocarbon and a chlorosilane group, and hydroxyl groups numerously present on the SiO.sub.2 surface, thus forming bonds ofCF.sub.3 (CF.sub.2).sub.7 (CH.sub.2).sub.2 Si (O--).sub.3over the entire frictional portion surface.

Abstract: A bowling ball has an annular band interposed between two spherical segments so as to define an outer peripheral surface of the spherical ball. The first and second spherical segments have respective outer peripheral surfaces formed of a first material having a hook potential, whereas the annular band has an outer peripheral surface formed of a second material having a hook potential different from the hook potential of the first material. In one embodiment the hook potential of the second material is substantially lower than the hook potential of the first material so as to make the ball less sensitive to conditions in the wet portion of the lane and delay significant hooking action until the dry portion so as to improve entry angle and thereby pin count. One way, albeit imperfect, to approximate the hooking potential of a material is to measure its coefficient of friction. A larger coefficient of friction generally leads to a higher hooking potential. A method of using the ball is also disclosed.

Abstract: Bowl for games such as petanque, including an outer surface (2) composed of a base surface (4) with prominent patterns (3, 103), regularly distributed on at least 90% of the total base surface (4). The total surface occupied by said patterns (3, 103) on the base surface (4) represents at least 30% of the latter (4). The patterns (3, 103) are bordered by substantially cylindrical surfaces (4), with their generatrices (6) being almost parallel, within a small angle, known as the offset angle (D.sub.1).

Abstract: A two-piece bowling ball that combines a dynamic core and a urethane cover to thereby permit bowlers to utilize the bowling ball under a variety of bowling lane conditions. The improved bowling ball construction permits the dynamic rotation and revolutions of the ball to produce a true arc toward the pin target.

Abstract: A bowling ball comprises a dense inner core which cannot be penetrated during the drilling of holes for gripping purposes and balance holes to adjust the static weight, a non-spherical outer core formed about the inner core to act as a top weight, and a cover stock. The dense inner core which cannot be penetrated by a drill prevents the characteristics of the bowling ball from being changed and, further, lowers both the moment of inertia and radius or gyration of the bowling ball to improve the bowling ball's characteristics. These characteristics include enhancing the rolling pattern of the ball and increasing the energy with which the ball strikes the pins. The non-spherical outer core operates as a top weight to replace weight removed during the drilling of the finger and thumb holes and enhance the hooking action of the ball by providing a breakpoint which is very sharp at the back end of the bowling lane. That late, sharp breaking hook allows the bowling ball to strike the pins with a greater force.