The present invention relates to bowling, and more particularly to a gripping device positioned on the bowler'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'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.
Turning to the figures, particularly
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
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.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20030045367 A1 | Mar 2003 | US |