Abstract: A bowling ball insert has an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve (or solid), with the outer sleeve having a pair of vertical channels that are open at the top, and a pair of horizontal channels extending perpendicularly from the vertical channels, with the two vertical channels having different widths. The inner sleeve (or solid) includes tabs that are sized to fit in the outer sleeve channels, with at least one of the tabs being sized to fit in one vertical channel but not in the other vertical channel. The outer and inner sleeves additionally include a floor that is open at the center to allow access to the ball through the insert. The inner sleeve has an upper lip to provide a controlled insert depth in the ball. The horizontal channels may include a detent to lock the inner sleeve in place after it has been inserted into and rotated within the outer sleeve.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of creating a bone tunnel during ligament reconstruction surgery. The method includes placing a guide wire through the femur, the guide wire having a first end portion including a pointed tip and a second end portion; placing a drill mechanism over the first end portion of the guide wire, the drill mechanism having a first end portion including a drill bit and a second end portion including an attachment portion; coupling an adaptor assembly to the attachment portion, the adaptor assembly including a shaft; coupling a drill to the shaft and operating the drill to create a tunnel in the femur; coupling a drill bit assembly to the second end portion of the guide wire and locating the assembly against the drill bit of the attachment portion; and operating the drill to create a counter bore within the tunnel.

Abstract: An interchangeable finger insert apparatus for a bowling ball includes a cylindrical outer body configured to be disposed in a bowling ball hole. The outer body defines an internal bore open to a first end of the outer body and a number of protrusions extending from an inner surface of the bore. The finger insert apparatus also includes a cylindrical inner slug sized to be inserted into the bore of the outer body. The inner slug defines a plurality of helical grooves corresponding to the protrusions of the outer body. At least one of the protrusions is uniquely sized relative to other protrusions and corresponds to only one of the helical grooves such that the slug may be rotatably inserted to a single set position.

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 bowling ball insert may be installed within a respective one of the finger holes of a bowling ball and includes a sleeve, at least one removable finger pad, and may include at least one spacer. The sleeve is mounted within the finger hole and the finger pad and spacer may be detachably mounted within the sleeve using hook and loop fastener material or the like. The finger pad and spacer may be constructed with various geometric forms and the finger pad may also include various types of outer layers to tailor the finger hole of the bowling ball to the size, fit, and feel preferences of a bowler, in order to improve comfort and control while bowling. The sleeve, spacer, and/or finger pad include notches that enable removal of the finger pad and spacer from the sleeve.

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 insert apparatus for a bowling ball enables a bowler to quickly and easily change thumb and/or finger hole inserts in the ball on-site at a bowling location. The insert apparatus includes a socket member for substantially permanent installation in a bowling ball. The insert apparatus also includes a removable insert member which fits nestingly into the socket member, and which is temporarily and removably lockable therein. The insert member includes a reduced diameter hub at the bottom end thereof, with a plurality of fingers extending outwardly from the hub. The socket member has a central aperture formed in the bottom end thereof to receive the hub of the insert member, and cutouts are formed adjacent the central aperture to receive the fingers of the insert member. Tracks are also provided in the base of the socket member, to guide movement of the fingers in the socket member.

Abstract: A grip adjusting insert for a hole in a bowling ball. An outer sleeve is inserted in the hole in the bowling ball, an inner sleeve is movably mounted in the sleeve, and a finger-engaging member is affixed in the inner sleeve and conforms to a finger of a user. The outer sleeve has a pair of throughslots that are inverted T-shaped. The inner sleeve has a pair of pins that ride axially downwardly in the pair of throughslots in the outer sleeve, respectively, when the inner sleeve is inserted into the sleeve, and at which time, the inner sleeve is rotated relative to the outer sleeve so as to cause the pair of pins to move laterally in the pair of throughslots in the outer sleeve, respectively. The finger-engaging member is rubber poured into the inner sleeve, with a finger therein so as to conform thereto.

Abstract: An adjustable grip bowling ball kit comprising a tubular sleeve member adapted for permanent insertion into a bowling ball grip hole and a plurality of inserts to be removably inserted into the sleeve is provided. The sleeve is further equipped with at least one guide member extending from a sleeve inner diameter surface into the sleeve's interior. Each insert has an outer diameter surface and an inner diameter surface. 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 member upon insertion of the insert into the sleeve. Upon insertion, rotation of the insert in one direction locks the insert within the sleeve. Rotation of the insert in another direction unlocks the insert to facilitate easy removal of the insert from the sleeve.

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: An insert shim for use in adjusting the size of a finger hole in a bowling ball, the finger hole being formed by a substantially cylindrical wall, and having a closed bottom end and an open top end, and having a standard insert positioned therein. The shim is a semi-rigid member having first and second axes, the first axis being linear and the second axis being arcuate. When inserted in the finger hole between the cylindrical insert and the cylindrical wall, the shim bending to substantially conform to the cylindrical wall of the finger hole. The shim may also be self-adhering and include adhesive means for releasably securing the shim to the cylindrical wall of the ball finger hole.

Abstract: A system and method for producing a bowling ball, where the thumb hole and finger holes in the bowling ball are angled to accurately match the anatomical requirements of the bowler's hand. The system includes a measuring jig assembly for obtaining data on where to drill finger holes in a bowling ball. The measuring jig assembly has holes for the thumb, the middle finger and the ring finger. The position of the thumb hole can be moved in a unique manner so that the thumb hole need not be located below the middle finger hole and the ring finger hole. Furthermore, the angle at which each of the holes enters the measuring jig assembly is adjustable across a range of motion that mimics that achievable by the tips of the thumb, middle finger and ring finger of a bowler. Accordingly, the holes can be adjusted to unique angles required by a particular bowler's hand anatomy. The data retrieved from the measuring jig assembly is then used to produce a bowling ball customized to a bowler's hand.

Abstract: A customized, anatomically correct insert for a bowling ball includes a main body portion having a first end and a second end. An outer portion has a first end and a second end, the first end being flush with the surface of a bowling ball with which the insert is intended to be used, when in normal use position, and the second end being connected to the first end of the main body portion of the insert. The outer portion of the insert is positioned at the mouth of a bowling ball hole when the insert is in normal use position in the bowling ball hole and has a greatest external dimension substantially equal to the internal dimension of the bowling ball hole, so as to be capable of being press-fit into the bowling ball hole, yet not being so large as to be subject to becoming so tightly stuck within the bowling ball hole that it cannot be selectively removed by the bowler.

Abstract: A removable bowling ball thumb insert sleeve for installation in a bowling ball hole, having an expander within a short counterbore in the bottom portion of the thumb insert sleeve. The expander device is actuated by rotation of an actuating screw using a tool inserted through a center bore within the thumb insert sleeve. Actuation of the expander device expands a split ring within the counterbore to engage the sleeve and urge it radially outwardly to engage the wall of the bowling ball hole and frictionally retain the sleeve within the hole.

Abstract: A finger insert for a bowling ball which includes a socket for accepting the insert. The insert comprises an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve, wherein the outer sleeve has an outer diameter sixed to be fixedly inserted into the socket, and the inner sleeve can be rotatably and removably mounted within the outer sleeve. The inner sleeve has an interior which is sized to contain a bowler's finger.

Abstract: An adjustable thumb hole insert for a bowling ball. A bowling ball having an oversized thumb hole has an adjustment cup positioned within it. The adjustment cup is tapered at the bottom and at the top. A thumb collet is positioned within the adjustment cup and has a generally cylindrical sidewall surrounding the thumb hole. The thumb collet is tapered at the bottom and at the top and is held in the over-sized thumb hole of the bowling ball. An adjustment screw is held in the bottom of the adjustment cup and when it is screwed downwardly it raises the adjustment cup which causes the thumb collet to squeeze inwardly, thereby reducing the inside diameter of the thumb hole. Conversely, when the adjustment screw is loosened, the inside diameter of the thumb hole increases.

Abstract: A bowling ball thumb insert including a generally planar plug having an upper surface, a lower surface, a peripheral edge interconnecting the surfaces and thereby defining a thickness, and a bore disposed therethrough and with the plug positionable within a thumb hole of a bowling ball; a plurality of sleeves with each sleeve having a circular planar bottom wall with an interior top surface, an exterior bottom surface, a peripheral edge extended between the surfaces, a bore disposed therethrough, and a tubular side wall having a characteristic thickness, an upper end, and a lower end with the lower end coupled with the interior surface of the bottom wall; and a bolt extended through the bore of a sleeve and the bore of the plug, the bolt further projected outwards from the lower surface of the plug for threaded securement to a complimentary threaded bore formed at a bottom end of a thumb hole of a bowling ball.

Abstract: An insert for adjustably sizing a finger or thumb hole of a bowling ball. The inventive device includes a cylindrical receiver securable within a hole of a bowling ball. A cylindrical insert of a desired size is positioned within the receiver to custom fit the bowling ball to an individual. A coupling assembly within the insert operates to securely and removably couple the insert to the receiver.

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.