Abstract:
A finger grip ( 10 ) for a bowling ball ( 14 ) has a mechanism ( 20 ) to retain the grip to a bowler&#39;s finger ( 12 ). A pad ( 24 ) is included to contact the bowling ball ( 14 ). The bowling ball ( 14 ) is associated with the retention mechanism. Also the pad ( 24 ) has an arcuate surface.

Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to bowling, and more particularly to a gripping device positioned on the bowler&#39;s index finger to enable the bowler to impart spin upon the bowling ball. 
   In bowling, while the ball is rolling down the lane, it is desirous to produce rotation about the horizontal axis of the ball. This rotation creates a hook in the ball as it is rolled down the lane. The hook action on the ball enables the ball to move laterally with respect to the pins so that the ball contacts more pins creating pin action to increase the number of pins knocked down. 
   In order to create hook on the bowling ball, the bowler contacts his index finger against the ball. In doing so, the bowler creates friction on his finger, which, in turn causes blisters or callouses to form on the bowler&#39;s index finger. Since both blisters and callouses are undesirable, bowlers search for aids to eliminate these ailments. Bowlers have used tape, bandages and the like to prohibit blisters or callouses. However, these surfaces become glazed and do not enable the bowler to exert the proper friction, in turn, rotation onto the ball to create the desired hook. 
   Accordingly, bowlers desire an aid which protects against blisters and callouses while providing a superior surface for gripping the ball. 
   The present invention provides the art with such a device. The present invention provides the art with a grip which protects against blisters and callouses while providing a superior gripping action on the ball. The gripping surface of the present invention enables the bowler to achieve additional revolutions on the ball while it is rolling down the lane. 
   From the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings and appended claims, other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the finger grip on a bowler in use viewed from within the bowling ball. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the finger insert according to FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 2  along line  3 — 3  thereof. 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 2  along line  2 — 2  thereof. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Turning to the figures, particularly  FIG. 1 , the finger insert in accordance with the invention is shown and identified with the reference numeral  10 . The finger grip  10  is illustrated on a bowler&#39;s index finger  12  in contact with the ball  14 . The bowler&#39;s middle finger and ring finger  16  and  18  are illustrated within the holes of the ball. 
   The finger grip  10  has a tubular shaped body  20  defining a bore  22 . The body is made from a polymeric material being substantially resilient. The bore  22  when viewed along its axis (as in  FIG. 3 ) has an elliptical configuration. The body  20  includes a pad portion  24  and a retention portion  26 . The retention portion  26  has an overall U-shaped configuration having legs  28  and  30  connected by web  32 . The legs and web surround the sides and top of the finger. Also, the web  32  is tapered at the closed end of the bore  22  to conform to the bowler&#39;s finger. Thus, the taper  34  is in close proximity to or contacts the fingernail of the bowler providing a close fit within the bore  22 . 
   The pad  24  is connected with the legs  28 ,  30  of the retention portion  26  to provide the tubular body  20  with an overall D-shaped configuration when viewed along its axis as seen in FIG.  3 . The pad portion  24  has a curved surface  40  which includes one or more projecting members  42 . The curved surface  40  has a curvature which conforms to the outer surface of a bowling ball. Thus, the radius of the curvature is substantially equal to the radius of the bowling ball  14 . Likewise, the curvature of the surface  40  is substantially the same as the curvature of the bowling ball. The surface is thus concave. 
   The projecting members  42  are positioned in a desired pattern along the rectangular face of the pad. Ordinarily, the pattern is such that the projections are positioned in rows having adjacent row with one less or one more projections  42  when moving longitudinally along the longitudinal axis of the tube  20 . Also, the rows of projections  42  are aligned laterally with one another such that a straight line would be formed through their centers. 
   The projections  42  are on the curved surface  44  such that a line drawn through the tips of the projections defines a curve which has a curvature substantially the same as that of the bowling ball. The projections  42  have a hemispherical end for contacting the bowling ball. As the end  44  contacts the ball, depending upon the pressure exerted by the finger, the hemisphere will flatten, forming a circular face onto the bowling ball as illustrated in FIG.  1 . Thus, the projections will grip the bowling ball enabling the bowler to better initiate rotation as the bowling ball is released. The projection members  42  could have a number of different configurations such as truncated right cylinders, tetrahedrons, or the like. 
   While the above detailed description describes the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and alteration without deviating from the scope and fair meaning of the subjoined claims.