Patent ID: 7048636

Claim:
An insert apparatus for use with a bowling ball, said apparatus comprising a socket member and an insert member which fits removably into the socket member, said socket member having an upper end and a lower end and comprising a cylindrical sleeve having a first hollow bore formed therein with a first diameter and a base formed integrally with the sleeve, the base comprising a first locking structure, said first locking structure comprising: a ridge extending inwardly at the lower end of the socket member and having a plurality of cutouts formed therein for receiving fingers of the insert member, and a plurality of tracks formed in the base of the socket member adjacent said cutouts, respectively each of said tracks comprising a ramp for guiding movement of one of said fingers thereon, the ramps becoming thicker with increasing angular distance from the cutouts, each of said tracks further having a radially extending notch formed in an end thereof to engagingly receive one of said fingers, whereby the notches are capable of lockingly and disengagably receiving said fingers therein; said insert member configured to fit nestingly inside said socket member and comprising a substantially cylindrical main body having an upper end and a lower end, and a second locking structure attached to the lower end of said main body and configured to cooperatively interact with said first locking structure, said second locking structure comprising a plurality of fingers extending radially outwardly on a lower end of the insert member and spaced to fit into the cutouts in the base of the socket member; wherein said insert member is nestingly insertable into said first hollow bore of said socket member and is twistable in said socket member, when fully inserted therein, to engage said first and second locking structures to temporarily and removably lock the insert member in the socket member.