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 When swinging and releasing the bowling ball, the thumb and rigid sleeve may be withdrawn from the thumbhole prior to fingers being withdrawn from the finger holes.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 
       [0001]    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 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the bowling arts, and more specifically to advances in ball control in the bowling arts. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    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 
       [0004]    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. 
         [0005]    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. 
         [0006]    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. 
         [0007]    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. 
         [0008]    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. 
         [0009]    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. 
         [0010]    In a further improvement, a bowling ball may be provided with a positive axis point indicator. 
         [0011]    In another improvement, the rigid sleeve may bear raised indicia. 
         [0012]    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. 
         [0013]    These and other objects will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    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: 
           [0015]      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; 
           [0016]      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; 
           [0017]      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 ; 
           [0018]      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; 
           [0019]      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; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a side view of a bowling ball improved by the rigid sleeve of  FIGS. 4 and 5 ; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of optional indicia on the rigid sleeve of  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    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 . 
         [0023]    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&#39;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. 
         [0024]      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 . 
         [0025]      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 . 
         [0026]    Referring particularly to  FIGS. 3-5  but also to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is shown one exemplary embodiment of a bowler&#39;s aid  90  for engaging and releasing a bowling ball  10 . In this exemplary embodiment, bowler&#39;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 . 
         [0027]    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 . 
         [0028]    Turning momentarily to  FIG. 5 , optionally, the bowler&#39;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 . 
         [0029]    In another exemplary embodiment, shown in  FIG. 4 , the bowler&#39;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 . 
         [0030]    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. 
         [0031]      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. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , the bowler&#39;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. 
         [0033]    In certain exemplary embodiments, a matched set of bowling ball  10  and a bowler&#39;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&#39;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 . 
         [0034]    In certain exemplary matched set embodiments, rigid sleeve  100  may comprise polyvinyl chloride (PVC) constituency. 
         [0035]    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. 
         [0036]    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. 
         [0037]    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 . 
         [0038]    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 . 
         [0039]    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 . 
         [0040]    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. 
         [0041]    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 . 
         [0042]    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 . 
         [0043]    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 . 
         [0044]    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. 
         [0045]    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.