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.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to 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. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The conventional way of using a bowling ball is to roll it over the surface of a bowling alley in a direction best calculated to knock over the bowling pins at the far end of the alley. A player has no control over the path of the ball once it is released. 
     The path of travel of the ball can initially be controlled to a certain extent by the spin or hook a player imparts to the ball on release. Beyond the release point there is nothing a player can do to correct the path of an errant ball, much as the player would like otherwise. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,901 (Salvino) issued Oct. 22, 1981 the inventor observed that when weight is drilled or otherwise removed from the ball to provide thumb and finger holes, the path of the ball was adversely affected by the resulting change in the center of gravity of the ball. According to the patent, this dynamically unbalanced condition could be corrected by locating a rod along the spin axis of the ball. The consequent increase in weight along that axis was designed to reduce the tendency of the ball to wobble after it was released. The axial position of the rod was adjustable between each use to some position that the player felt would be most likely to establish the best path for the ball as it rolled down the alley. It is likely that precise placement of the rod was not easy to achieve since most players “hook” a ball to a varying extent during play and this, together with other variables such as the state of the bowling alley surface, would make it difficult to consistently reach a predictable result. In any event, the arrangement did not provide any dynamic control of the ball. The system amounted to a trial and error procedure in which a player was always trying to match his bowling results with various fixed positions of a rod in the ball. It was not possible to control the path of the ball after it was released. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,591,177 (Skuse) discloses an invention generally similar to the &#39;901 patent just discussed except that a threaded rod was used. Its axial position was adjusted by rotating it along a threaded bore using a screwdriver inserted into an access opening from the exterior of the ball. However, during play the position of the rod was fixed. Dynamic adjustment was neither taught nor suggested as being desirable. 
     A somewhat related arrangement is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,058,310 (Miettinen), except that he uses mercury to alter the location of the ball&#39;s center of gravity. The mercury is located in one of three elongated chambers that extend radially outwardly from the center of the ball. One or the other of these chambers is filled with the mercury through a three-way valve whose rotated position is changed when a chamber is filled with the desired amount of mercury. The stem of the valve extends outwardly from the center of the ball, and is turned by a key that is inserted through the exterior surface of the ball. The key thus controls which chamber is filled, and to what extent. However, like the other patents discussed above, the position of the valve and other adjustable components are fixed and cannot be changed once the ball has been released for travel down the alley. No dynamic control of the ball path is possible. 
     A system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,501,569 (Clark Jr. et al) for remotely and dynamically controlling the location of the center of gravity of a spherical vehicle is disclosed. The mechanism includes an elongated axle which extends diametrically along the spin axis of the sphere. The ends of the axle are fixed within the sphere, and a frame which supports the axle is rotatable about the transverse or spin axis of the sphere. An axle gear is fixed to the axle and engaged by a pinion gear. The pinion gear is rotatable by the drive shaft of a motor that is attached to the frame. As a consequence, rotation of the pinion gear rotates the motor and frame about the axle. 
     Attached to the frame is the inner end of a radially extending pendulum arm whose outer end carries a mass or weight. The frame includes an integral arcuate gear rack that is engaged by the pinion gear of a servo motor which, like the weight, is mounted to the pendulum arm. Rotation of the servo motor thus causes the arcuate gear segment and weight to rotate to one side or the other of the spin axis along which the axle extends. 
     The servo motor is operable by a remotely located radio transmitter whereby adjustment of the location of the center of gravity of the mass is done dynamically. 
     A similar result is achieved by the system of U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,800. (Kobayashi) wherein a center-shaft within the spherical toy extends along the spin axis of the toy. The system is controlled by a remotely located radio transmitter that operates a radio receiver within the toy. This in turn operates a battery in the toy to energize a servo motor. The output or drive shaft of the motor is coupled to a relatively complex connecting structure which is operative to move a direction control means to one side or the other of an axis generally perpendicular to the spin axis of the toy. This adjusts the center of gravity of the toy to thereby dynamically adjust the path the toy follows as it rotates on its spin axis. Although the path of the toy is controlled remotely by a radio transmitter, the structure provided to translate these control signals into a desired relocation of the center of gravity is quite complex and would be expensive and time consuming to manufacture and maintain. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention, the path of a bowling ball is dynamically adjusted during its travel down the bowling alley or lane by the straightforward expedient of moving a mass or weight transversely along the spin axis of the ball to precisely locate the center of gravity where necessary to control the path of the ball. 
     An embodiment is disclosed which does this in a way that lends itself to competition between pairs of partners. The ball path is best controlled if the ball is released for straight ahead rotation essentially about its spin axis without hooking or the like. One partner in each team is responsible for releasing it along the desired straight path utilizing, as will be seen, a special finger hole or holes uniquely arranged according to the invention. As the ball travels down the alley the other partner controls the exact path of the released ball by operating a hand held radio transmitter which is in communication with a radio receiver in the ball. The radio receiver responds to the transmitter control signals to move the weight axially along the spin axis in a direction dictated by the signals. 
     The present ball path direction control apparatus is easy and relatively inexpensive to manufacture and maintain, and its use permits a sense of cooperation between the partners of a team, as well as competition between different teams. 
     In one embodiment the ball is formed into its characteristic spherical shape by joining a pair of hollow hemispherical portions. The weight which is movable for adjusting the location of the center of gravity is located within a frame that is mounted within the hollow interior of the ball. 
     In one embodiment the motor which is operative to move the weight is located within the frame. An externally threaded drive shaft of the motor is oriented along the ball spin axis, and is rotatable to move the weight axially along the spin axis. In another embodiment the motor is located within the ball, but exteriorly of the frame. In the latter arrangement the drive shaft is connected by belts and pulleys to the shaft which supports the weight within the frame. 
     In both embodiments the weight includes an internally threaded bore which engages external threads on the shaft to which the weight is mounted. The shaft extends along the spin axis, and the weight includes external walls, or is otherwise configured for complemental engagement with the interior walls of the frame space within which the weight is received. The interengaging walls are made flat or otherwise configured so that rotation of the shaft will not rotate the weight. Instead, the exterior walls of the weight are axially slidable upon the interior walls of the frame space so that rotation of the shaft axially moves the weight. 
     As previously mentioned, the present bowling ball is provided with one or more finger holes located along a centerline or axis parallel to the spin axis of the ball. Each hole is adapted to receive one or two fingers, and extends downwardly into the ball and then forwardly to define a ledge or shelf that can be grasped by the fingers as a form of finger “handle”. If desired, the ball can be provided with two or more separate finger holes, each with a ledge or shelf for receiving one or two fingers. The usual thumb hole is preferably eliminated because its presence would mean the thumb and finger holes would have to be precisely arranged for each player. Using finger holes alone makes it possible for a ball to have a “universal” finger hole arrangement capable of fitting many persons. Any need for precise location of the relative positions of thumb and finger holes is thus completely eliminated. If the player insists upon a thumb hole, the thumb hole is preferably a straight bore with no shelf so the ball can easily drop off the thumb. 
     Providing a single larger hole for all four fingers rather than the above-described spaced finger holes is less desirable because this would result in the presence of a finger opening or cavity that would be so laterally elongated that the margins of the depressed central portion would engage and “thump” upon each rotation of the ball along the bowling lane. 
    
    
     Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bowling ball of the present invention, illustrating the two hemispherical portions connected together to form the spherical ball; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a handheld radio transmitter adapted to remotely control the path of the ball as it travels down a bowling lane; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross section of the bowling ball; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross section taken along the line  4 — 4  of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross section of a second embodiment of a bowling ball according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross section of the embodiment of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the motor, pulley and pulley belt assembly disposed within a cavity of the upper one of the hemispherical sections of the ball, with the adjacent ball structure shown in cross section; 
     FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the present bowling ball, illustrating in dotted outline the location and form of one arrangement of finger holes; 
     FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view of the bowling ball of FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of finger holes and a thumb hole; 
     FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of a single finger hole and a thumb hole; and 
     FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of a bowling ball according to the invention, and which includes a circular stripe extending around a center coincident with the spin axis, the stripe, if desired, also including a plurality of lights on the strip. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1-10, a typical spherical bowling ball is illustrated which is adapted to be thrown or rolled down a bowling alley or lane (not shown). The path of the ball is intended to strike a set of bowling pins (not shown). A bowling ball of the prior art typically includes both a thumb hole and two finger holes to enable the player to better guide the ball along this path. In the prior art the holes are usually straight bores so that on release from a cradled position the ball will slide off the player&#39;s thumb and fingers onto the surface of the alley. 
     The use of both thumb and finger holes in the prior art enables a player to spin or hook the ball just as it is released. Such hooking has been found to be desirable in a conventional bowling match because it causes the ball to follow a curved path toward the pins. Without a hook the ball is likely to directly hit the head pin whereas a ball following a curved path is likely to hit both the head pin and the pin adjacent to it, causing a desired churning or “pin action” in which the pins interact and strike one another. 
     In direct contrast to the prior art, the ball of the present invention can be rolled along a substantially straight path because the usual thumb hole is preferably omitted. Without the thumb hole it is difficult to hook the ball. As will be seen, the usual finger holes are also preferably omitted. These changes in the typical bowling ball of the prior art better enable a player to throw the ball along a straight path. As will be seen, this enables a partner of the player to change the direction of the straight path to hit the pins in an optimum manner. 
     As best seen in FIGS. 8-10, the ball of the present invention has a characteristic, substantially horizontally and transversely oriented spin axis  10  about which the ball spins as it travels down the bowling alley. 
     The ball of FIGS. 8-10 includes two adjacent finger holes  12  located on a centerline which extends generally parallel to the spin axis  10 . Each finger hole  12  is preferably sized to accept two fingers. Two spaced apart holes are preferred over one large finger hole sized to accept four fingers. Such spacing avoids the “thumping” sound which would occur as the ball rolls down the alley. 
     The finger holes  12  are not the usual straight bores of the prior art. Instead, each hole extends inwardly and then forwardly, as best seen in FIG. 8, to produce a rearwardly extending shelf or ledge  14 . The player&#39;s fingers can then be placed beneath the shelves to support the weight of the ball even though there is no thumb hole. However, if a player feels more comfortable with a thumb hole, a thumb hole  82  can be included, as seen in FIGS. 11 and 12. The thumb hole  82  is preferably a straight bore, and does not include the curved section defined by the finger holes. The straight bore of the hole  82  enables the ball to slip off the hand without imparting any spin or hook to the ball. 
     As seen in FIGS. 1-3, the outer portion  18  of the spherical ball is formed of a pair of upper and lower hemispheres or halves  20  and  22  joined together at a joint  24 . 
     A transversely elongated frame having upper and lower halves  28   a  and  28   b  is located within the hollow interior defined by the upper and lower halves  20  and  22 . The frame extends parallel with the spin axis  10  and includes a hollow weight chamber  30  through which extends an externally threaded weight shaft  32  in alignment with the spin axis  10 . The ends of the weight shaft  32  are rotatably supported within bearings  36  clamped between the ends of the two frame halves  28   a  and  28   b.    
     The upper and lower halves  20  and  22  are clamped together and secured in position by bolts  40  which are threaded into the mid portions of the frame halves  28   a  and  28   b.    
     A mass or weight  42  is located within the frame. As best seen in FIG. 4, it includes an internally threaded bore  44  which threadably engages the exterior threads of the weight shaft  32 . The weight  42  is configured with flat outer sides or faces engageable with complemental sides or faces  43  of the frame to prevent rotation of the weight  42  when the weight shaft  32  rotates. Instead, rotational movement of the weight shaft  32  imparts threaded longitudinal or axial advancement of the weight along the weight shaft  32 . 
     In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the weight  42  is square in cross section to provide flat upper and lower sides for engagement with corresponding flat surfaces  43  of the frame halves  28   a  and  28   b . As will be apparent, other configurations of the weight  42  and the frame will occur to those skilled in the art which are operative to prevent relative rotation between the weight  42  and the frame, and yet allow longitudinal or axial movement of the weight on the frame when the weight shaft  32  is rotated. As will be apparent, the weight  42  will threadably advance along the shaft inwardly or outwardly, depending upon the direction of rotation of the weight shaft  32 . 
     A suitable drive means or motor is provided for rotating the weight shaft  32 . The form of motor illustrated in FIG. 3 comprises a stator  46  fixed to the frame  28 , and a rotor  48  carried by the weight shaft  32 . As will be clear to those skilled in the art, energization of the stator windings in one direction will rotate the weight shaft  32  in one direction, while energization of the stator windings in the opposite direction will rotate the weight shaft  32  oppositely. 
     The stator is coupled to batteries  50  mounted in the hollow interior or spaces defined by the upper and lower halves  20  and  22 . The batteries are periodically charged by any suitable means, such as by a battery charger (not shown). A plug of the charger can be disposed within a socket  52  in the upper half  20  for connection to the batteries through suitable electrical leads. 
     Energization of the stator to move the weight  42  in one direction or the other is controlled by a radio receiver  54  which is mounted to the frame  28  and connected by suitable leads to the stator  46 . As seen in FIG. 3, other electrical leads are provided to connect the receiver  54  to a microswitch or optical sensor  56 . The sensor  56  is part of suitable circuitry located within the receiver  54 . 
     Assuming the stator  46  has been energized to move the weight one way or the other, and a predetermined time interval of five seconds, for example, has passed, the circuitry, in conjunction with the sensor  56 , energizes the stator  46  until the weight  42  is re-centered within the frame. The system is then able to move the weight  42  in either direction from the re-centered position, rather than from an extreme position near one end or the other of the weight shaft  32 . When the ball is to be released, it should start to spin or roll with the weight in a centered position. 
     The radio receiver  54  includes an internal on-off circuit connected by suitable leads to a toggle switch  58  that is seated within an exterior recess in the lower half  22 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the receiver  54  can be operated by radio signals from a remotely located hand held radio transmitter  60 . This makes it possible for one member of a team to throw the ball, and the other to steer the ball with the transmitter  60 . The goal of the team member throwing the ball is to release it in such a way that there is little or no hooking, only the normal spinning of the ball about its horizontal spin axis. If the ball spins essentially only around its spin axis, it should then follow a relatively straight path toward the pins. However, if this path is not aligned with the pins, the task of the other team member is to correct this by operating the transmitter  60 . 
     Moving a toggle switch  62  one way transmits signals to the receiver to rotate the weight shaft  32  to rotate in one direction. Movement of the switch the other way causes an opposite rotation of the weight shaft  32 , as will be apparent. Such transmitter/receiver combinations are well known in the art and details of their construction and operation are omitted in the interest of brevity. 
     It is important that the team member operating the transmitter  60  be able to see if the ball has been thrown so as to spin along its horizontal spin axis since this dictates whether the ball will move in a straight path. According to the present invention, as will be explained later in conjunction with FIG. 13, a visual indicator, such as a stripe  84  or row of small lights  86 , is provided on the ball to aid in determining if the ball is spinning only about its horizontal spin axis. 
     Coming back to FIGS. 5-7, a second embodiment of the invention is disclosed which is substantially the same as the first embodiment except that the motor for rotating the weight shaft  32  is located externally of the frame. It has been found that this arrangement is less expensive to install and maintain because it enables use of a conventional off-the-shelf motor  45 . 
     The motor  45  is located in a chamber  64  provided in the upper half  20  of the ball. The motor is fixed in this chamber by extending the motor through the bore of an upper extension  66  of the frame half  28   a.    
     Hollow spaces  70  are also provided to house the receiver  54  and the batteries  50 . 
     A motor shaft support  72  and associated bearings are attached to the top side of the frame half  28   a  for rotatably supporting a motor shaft  74  of the motor  45 . The outer extremity of the motor shaft  74  mounts a pulley  76  that is coupled by a belt  80  to a pulley  78  that is mounted to the weight shaft  32 . Other arrangements for connecting an externally located conventional motor  45  to the weight shaft  32  will be obvious to one skilled in the prior art. 
     The present invention makes possible the use of a relatively inexpensive bowling ball characterized by a remotely controlled inner weight, and a unique finger hole arrangement. This enables a pair of team members to compete with opposing team members to achieve a better score through control of the initial spin of the ball about its horizontal spin axis, and the subsequent steering of the ball after release. The degree of cooperation between members of a team, and the competition between the two teams, are important factors in a spirited competition to achieve the highest bowling score. 
     In use, the ball is released by one partner of a team in a way that will impart only a rolling of the ball over the bowling lane surface  88  and about its spin axis  10 . 
     The other partner now has the task of controlling the ball so that its path will become aligned with the pins if it is not already aligned. 
     Whether the ball is rolling properly around its spin axis  10  can be determined by inspecting the stripe  84  or lights  86  that extend around the ball. If the spin is proper the stripe or lights will appear as a continuous vertically oriented band. If the spin is not proper the stripe or lights will not remain vertically oriented, but instead appear to wobble from side to side. This will enable the partner who threw the ball to adjust his release the next time to achieve the desired vertical orientation. 
     The stipe  84  and lights  86  may be provided independently or, as illustrated, the lights  86  can be embedded in the ball and used in conjunction with the stripe. 
     The lights  86  are powered by batteries (not shown) located in the hollow interior of the ball. The batteries and lights are preferably connected together using a well known centrifugal switch (not shown). The switch contacts are brought together by centrifugal force developed during rotation of the switch in the ball. This conserves battery power since the lights will be energized only when the ball is rotating. 
     The task of the second partner is to gauge the path of the ball and correct it if necessary by adjusting the center of gravity of the ball through skillful operation of the transmitter to properly locate the internal weight. 
     While preferred forms of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.