Abstract:
Disclosed are a bowling glove and a bowling wrist brace having a laser pointer integrated therein. Each of the glove and the wrist brace includes an index finger section having a compartment on an upper surface thereof. The compartment is configured to store the laser pointer therein. The compartment includes an opening that aligns with a light source disposed on a front end of the laser pointer such that the laser beam from the light source of the laser pointer can shine therethrough. In operation, a bowler can utilize the laser beam to draw an imaginary line between a bowling ball and bowling pins to practice his or her arm swing and to visualize the travel line of the bowling ball after releasing it.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to a bowling glove and a bowling wrist brace. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a bowling glove or a brace comprising means to view and analyze a trajectory of a bowling ball via laser. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A bowler must have a consistent arm swing and a firm wrist and hand motion to achieve a good score in bowling. In practicing a proper arm swing and body position, it is also important to aim properly at a pin-deck. Generally, bowlers refer to the guide marks in the form of dots, arrows, and rangefinders on the lane boards to set up their ball along a preferred trajectory, whereby the guide marks are primarily intended for alignment purposes when targeting a given pin combination on the pin-deck. 
         [0003]    When referring to the guide marks, however, it is difficult to tell whether the bowler&#39;s arm swing would be properly aligned with the guide marks and the given pin combination. Thus, bowlers often estimate the trajectory of the bowling ball when practicing their arm swing. In this regard, the bowlers resort to using a trial and error method to adjust their arm swing and body position to improve their bowling skills. Therefore, there is a need in the prior art for a device that can facilitate bowlers in visualizing and analyzing their arm swing and body position, as well as the trajectory of a released bowling ball during bowling. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In view of the disadvantages inherent in the known types of devices for improving bowling skills now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a bowling glove and a bowling wrist brace that includes a laser guide. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a bowling glove. The glove includes an index finger section having a compartment on an upper surface thereof. The compartment is configured to store a laser pointer therein. In another embodiment, the present invention comprises a bowling wrist brace. The bowling wrist brace includes a first section that is configured to be worn over the back of a wearer&#39;s hand. The first section includes an index finger section that extends from one end thereof. Similar to the first embodiment, the index finger section comprises a compartment for receiving a laser pointer therein. 
         [0005]    In either embodiment, the compartment on the index finger section comprises an opening for allowing a laser beam from the laser pointer to shine therethrough. In this way, the present invention allows a bowler to use the laser beam to draw an imaginary line between a bowling ball and bowling pins to improve the bowler&#39;s visualization of the travel line of the bowling ball after releasing it. 
         [0006]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a bowling glove that having a laser pointer integral thereto. 
         [0007]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a bowling wrist brace having a laser pointer integral thereto. 
         [0008]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a bowling glove or a brace that resembles conventional bowing gloves and braces. 
         [0009]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a laser pointer that can be removably attached to the bowling glove and brace of the present invention. 
         [0010]    A final object of the present invention to provide a bowling glove and a bowling wrist brace that may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and commensurate with durability. 
         [0011]    In the light of the foregoing, these and other objects are accomplished in accordance of the principles of the present invention, wherein the novelty of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying exemplary drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  shows a view of a laser pointer being inserted into the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  shows another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    The present invention is directed towards a bowling glove or a brace with a laser guide. For purposes of clarity, and not by way of limitation, illustrative views of the present bowling glove or brace are described with references made to the above-identified figures. Various modifications obvious to one skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0018]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , there are shown views of a first embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated embodiment comprises a bowling glove  21  designed for a right-handed person, but the glove may also be designed for left-handed person in other embodiments. The glove  21  comprises a palm section  23  with an index finger section  27 , a middle finger section  26 , a ring finger section  27 , and a little finger section  24  extending upward therefrom. Each of the middle finger section  26  and the ring finger section  27  comprises an opening  38 ,  39  at terminal ends thereof so as to allow a wearer&#39;s middle finger and ring finger to extend therethrough. 
         [0019]    In this way, the wearer can insert his or her middle finger and ring finger in gripping holes of a bowling ball while wearing the glove  21 . Similarly, the inner side of the palm section  23  includes a thumbhole  37  for receiving the wearer&#39;s thumb therethrough. Exposing the thumb allows the wearer to prevent his or her middle and ring fingers from dislodging from the gripping holes of the bowling ball while maintaining control of the bowling ball. 
         [0020]    Each of the index finger section  27  and the little finger section  24  comprises a closed top portion. In this regard, the wearer&#39;s index finger and little finger remain completely enclosed when the wear keeps the glove  21  on. The index finger  27  section comprises an elongated compartment  28  on an upper portion thereof, wherein the compartment  28  comprises a defined interior volume for receiving a laser pointer  41  therein. The laser pointer  41  is preferably substantially cylindrical in shape. In this regard, the compartment  41  is shaped and dimensioned to similarly in order to store the laser pointer  41  therein. 
         [0021]    The compartment  28  includes an open proximal end  29  and a closed distal end  30  such that the laser pointer  41  can be inserted from the proximal end  29  of the compartment  28 . The compartment  28  may be composed of a resilient material so as to keep the laser pointer  41  snugly in place. In some embodiments, the proximal end  29  of the compartment  28  includes a strap or a fastener to prevent the laser pointer  41  from falling out. 
         [0022]    The compartment comprises a first opening  35  on a top portion thereof, wherein the first opening  35  is located at a substantial midpoint between the proximal end  29  and the distal end  30 . The distal end  30  of the compartment  28  comprises a second opening  34 . The laser pointer  41  comprises a light source at a front end  42  thereof, and one or more activation buttons or control buttons at a rear end  43  thereof and/or on a top portion thereof. In this way, the activation buttons or the control buttons on the rear end and top portion of the laser pointer  41  are accessible via the first opening  35  and the open proximal end  29 . Additionally, the light source on the front end  42  of the laser pointer  41  can be aligned with the second opening  34  of the compartment  28  to allow the laser beam to shine therethrough. 
         [0023]    The glove  21  further comprises a wrist opening  32  at a lower end  33  thereof. The lower end  33  includes a strap  22  that is adapted to tighten or loosen the wrist opening  32  so as to adjust the circumference thereof. The strap  22  remains secured in place via a fastener  31  thereon. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastener  31  comprises hook and loop fasteners. In other embodiments, other fasteners such as snap buttons, buttons, buckles, and other suitable fasteners may be used. 
         [0024]    The underside of the glove  21  includes a textured surface  36 . In the illustrated embodiment, the textured surface  36  comprises a plurality of protrusions  40  for increasing grip. Each of the protrusions  40  may be substantially round in shape and are dimensioned so that they do not interfere with the use of the glove  21 . The textured surface  36  may also comprise a high friction material so as to increase grip and to prevent bowling balls from slipping. 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment of the present invention comprises a bowling wrist brace  44 . The illustrated embodiment of the bowling wrist brace  44  is designed for a right-handed person, but the brace may also be designed for left-handed person in other embodiments. The bowling wrist brace  44  of the present invention comprises a first section and a second section, wherein each of the sections is composed of a rigid material and molded to partially cover the top portion of a wearer&#39;s hand and wrist. 
         [0026]    In the illustrated embodiment, the first section is hingedly connected to the second section via a fastener, such that the two sections can swivel relative to each other. The first section is configured to be worn over the top of a wearer&#39;s hand and the second section is configured to be worn over the top of a wearer&#39;s wrist. The first section comprises a strap for securing the bowling wrist brace on the wearer&#39;s hand and wrist, wherein the strap is adjustable in length and can be secured in place via a fastener. 
         [0027]    The first section includes an index finger section  45  having a compartment  46  thereon for a laser pointer  41 . The index finger section  45  extends from the first section so that it can partially cover the wearer&#39;s index finger when worn. The compartment  46  includes a closed distal end and an open proximal end  47  for providing access to a defined interior volume therein. The compartment  46  includes an opening at the closed distal end. The opening is aligned with the front end  42  of the laser pointer  41  so that the laser beam from the light source at the front end  42  of the laser pointer  41  can shine through. The compartment  46  may further include additional openings along its surface for providing access to the activation buttons and/or control buttons disposed on the rear end  43  of the laser pointer  41 . 
         [0028]    In operation for either embodiment, the laser pointer  41  is activated so that the laser beam moves with the wearer&#39;s hand and so that it can point in different directions, away from the wearer&#39;s hand, based on how the wearer&#39;s hand and arm is oriented. In this way, the laser beam can show the wearer&#39;s arm swing and hand orientation while bowling. More specifically, the laser beam can project onto a bowling lane as the wearer is swinging his or her arm and releasing a bowling bowl. Thereafter, the wearer can compare the trajectory of the released bowling ball to the laser beam projected onto the bowling lane. By comparing the trajectory of the bowling ball to the laser beam, the wearer can make appropriate adjustments to his or her arm swing and/or hand movement to improve his or her bowling skills. 
         [0029]    Because the primary purpose and intent of the present invention is to disclose a bowling glove and a bowling wrist brace that allows the wearer to view and analyze a trajectory of a bowling ball via a laser, the exact configuration of the laser pointer  41  is not of importance so long as the laser pointer  41  is shaped and dimensioned to fit snugly within the interior of the compartment  28 ,  46 . 
         [0030]    It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0031]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.