Abstract: An interchangeable finger insert system for a bowling ball is provided. An inner sleeve has a cylindrical opening defined at a top end. A base encloses a bottom end of the inner sleeve. A fastener-head feature is defined in the base and accessible through the cylindrical opening. An engagement feature is formed along an exterior surface and configured to allow the inner sleeve to be rotationally inserted into an internal bore. A fastening tool with an elongated shaft and a locking feature defined at a distal end of the shaft is provided. The locking feature shaped to engage the fastener-head feature defined on the inner sleeve. The locking feature of the fastening tool engages the fastener-head feature on the inner sleeve, and rotation of the fastening tool is configured to rotate the inner sleeve into the internal bore thereby locking the inner sleeve in the bowling ball.

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 thumb and finger insert for a bowling ball including a barrel having a thumb or finger hole for insertion of either a human thumb or finger and capable of facilitating a properly timed release of a bowling ball and of adapting to digit swelling during play. The barrel has a complete annular portion and a partial annular portion, the latter forming a gap into which a flexible tab is disposed. The flexible tab is connected to the partial annular portion with one or more flexible members and includes an underside that engages the dorsal side of a user's thumb or finger, wherein the flexible members will flex so as to allow said flexible tab to flex outwardly when pressure is exerted against the underside of the flexible tab.

Abstract: A bowling ball is constructed to include a thumb-engagement insert and a thumb-clearance recess positioned radially inwardly of the thumb-engagement insert.

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: A system and method for providing a semi-custom-fitted house ball to a customer of a bowling center are provided. In one embodiment, a plurality of house balls in a variety of weights is provided, wherein each of the house balls comprises a thumb hole sized to receive a removable thumb insert of varying sizes, and wherein at least one house ball of a given weight comprises a different finger hole drilling pattern than at least one other house ball of that given weight. In another embodiment, a method for identifying a suitable house ball for a customer of a bowling center is provided. Other embodiments are disclosed, and each of the embodiments can be used alone or together in combination.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a bowling ball having a handle formed therein, the handle made by an inset having a cavity within the inset, the cavity having the general shape of the side view of a person's hand with fingers closed toward the person's palm. In the preferred embodiment, the inset is screwed into the ball. As a variant, the inset is pressed into a hole made in the ball and held in place by action of truncated threads, with force provided by a spring.

Abstract: In two exemplary embodiments, a bowling ball having a handle formed therein, the handle made by an inset having a cavity within the inset, the cavity having the general shape of the side view of a person's hand with fingers closed toward the person's palm. In a first embodiment, the inset is screwed into the ball. As a variant, the inset is pressed into a hole made in the ball and held in place by action of truncated threads, with force provided by a spring. In a second embodiment, the inset is made with traditional finger holes, and the inset is received by a cavity made to accommodate a bowler's hand.

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: 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: To achieve a correlation of an initially slightly oversized diameter of a drilled finger hole in a custom fitted bowling ball to a diameter of the bowler's finger using a shim inserted in a clearance between a liner otherwise, but for the clearance, adhesively secured in place in the drilled finger hole, by using preparatory to the insertion a wedge-shaped tool to delaminate the liner-securing adhesive.

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 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: 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 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 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: 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: 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: 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 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: A finger insert having a wear indicator and adapted for installation along the wear surface in a finger hole of a bowling ball. The insert is a composite structure formed of a polymeric material and has a primary layer of a first color and a secondary layer of a contrasting second color. When installed in the finger hole, the primary layer is disposed adjacent the bowler's finger. As the primary layer wears away as a result of repeated bowls, the contrasting second color of the secondary layer becomes visible to indicate that the finger insert has served its useful life and should be changed.

Abstract: An improved bowler's tape tool includes a curved tool portion with an enlarged handle portion. A knife edge is formed at one end of the curved tool portion. The knife edge is smaller than the curved tool in both radial thickness and circumferential extent. The knife edge can be placed behind the tape in a bowler's thumb hole for removal of the tape. The curved tool is utilized to apply new tape within the thumb hole. The handle facilitates easy gripping and movement of the tool to either apply or remove the tape. In other aspects of this invention, the handle portion extends radially outwardly for a greater distance then the curved tool portion. This ensures that the user is able to properly control the curved tool portion and apply the required forces for application or removal of the tape. Further, the curved tool portion is preferably formed with a radius of curvature that is smaller than the radius of curvature of the thumb hole such that the tool can be easily moved within the thumb hole.

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 finger grip insert has a tubular resilient body with an outer wall having at least one recessed section with a concave shape. The center of the tube is shaped to accommodate a human finger. The deformable insert fits into a bowling ball finger hole, and has two sections. The first section extends from the outer surface of the bowling ball to the bowler's fingertip when the finger is placed into the insert. The outer wall of the first section has one or more recesses formed that extend only partially through the tubular body to permit the insert to deform within the finger hole in the area of the recess, responsive to pressure from the bowler's finger. The second section extends from the bowler's fingertip to the end of the insert, and provides a surface to attach the insert to the bowling ball finger hole.

Abstract: The thumb pad, in a preferred embodiment, is disposed in the thumb hole of a bowling ball. The pad is a thin, multi-layer, highly flexible pad. A first elongated tape-like layer has an adhesive surface adapted to be adhered to the bowling ball wall defining the thumb hole. The length of the thumb pad does not exceed the depth of the thumb hole. The width of the thumb pad is approximately the width of the backside of the thumb. The backside of the thumb is the side opposite the palm side of the thumb. The thumb pad includes a second elongated tape-like layer overlaying the first tape-like layer opposite the adhesive surface. The second layer has a low friction surface (preferably TEFLON coated) adapted to be positioned adjacent the backside of the thumb. The thumb pad further includes a thin, compressible, foam-like pad interposed between the first and second layers at a position remote from one end of the overlaid first and second layers.