II. Description of the Closest Prior Art There are a number of previously known bowling ball inserts for use with a bowling ball having a hole formed in the bowling ball and extending inwardly from an outer surface of the bowling ball. Some of the latter known bowling ball inserts typically utilize a base which is secured at the innermost end of the bowling ball hole by glue or other means. A sleeve is then slidably received within the bowling ball hole and is releasably secured to the base. This sleeve, in turn, contains a standardized bore which may then be adapted to receive a digit, such as a finger or thumb, of the bowler.

These previously known bowling ball inserts, which are often permanent in nature, have not proven to be wholly satisfactory in use. A major disadvantage of the previously known bowling ball inserts is that the rotational position of the bowling ball insert with respect to the base is fixed and designed only to be usable at one preselected position. Consequently, these previously known bowling ball inserts have not provided the capability of interchangeably indexing the sleeve relative to the base, and thus the digit bore contained through the sleeve, with respect to the axis of the bowling ball hole.

Likewise, these former prior art inserts do little or nothing in offering the bowler a practical means with which to modulate the various aspects of their bowling ball's"forward to side roll ratio pattern,"nor do they even attempt to address the (pre-) determination of other combined aspects which, when factored together, yield what amounts to (the creation of) the bowling ball's performance dynamics characteristics. The prior art inserts are mainly concerned with offering to duplicate more of what the bowler already has in the way of overall"comfort" and/or general"feel."They certainly deliver no specialized benefits and are often extremely inadequate at fulfilling even the meager claims listed as examples here.

Various characteristics which a bowler may require are frequently foreign to the bowler and, until experienced (usually accidentally), they remain hidden. Many such advantages have unfortunately remained obscure due to the fact that, prior to the current invention, said advantages were not readily understood or otherwise accessible through any former prior art means.

The former prior art inserts do nothing to address this necessity. The former prior art inserts fail to acknowledge or reference this newly disclosed field of"grip dynamics control modulation"as a respected science. The former prior art inserts have done nothing that would otherwise encourage any such positive benefits or cause them to be intelligently learned or accurately implemented.

A still further disadvantage of these previously known bowling ball inserts is that such bowling ball inserts were designed so that the outer diameter of the bowling ball insert was substantially the same as the inner diameter of the bowling ball hole, thus providing a snug fit between the insert and the bowling ball hole.

In many situations, however, the snug fit between the bowling ball insert and the bowling ball hole rendered it difficult, if not altogether impossible, to remove the bowling ball insert from the bowling ball hole. This was particularly true where thermal expansion concerning the bowling ball and/or insert, e. g. caused either by heat from the bowler's hand or environmental changes, created an array of problems that would stem from uncontrolled expansion of the insert within the recess of the bowling ball which, among other shortcomings, caused the prior art insert to seize up and/or distort within the recess of the ball, thereby rendering the prior art insert neither removable or functional.

But far and away, the greatest shortcoming of all former prior art technology is their failure to address the capabilities that may be realized and enjoyed once the true center of balance within the bowler's hand can be harmoniously and totally incorporated and implemented within the bowling ball in such ways as to encourage it to perform in harmony with the will and intent of its user. The present invention is unique and in fact pioneering in this respect. The present invention, in addition to providing a means for accessing total bowling

ball dynamics control, also educates its user and promotes a heightened overall understanding of how a bowling ball may be accurately controlled through new and novel information that may now be acquired with each successive delivery of the bowling ball. The present invention is the only device that fully addresses all shortcomings that are related to control of the"center of balance"within one's hand. These shortcomings were the combined reasons which necessitated this inventor's conception and creation of such a device.

The present invention is the only device that can offer its user a practical means whereby they may easily and intelligently control all aspects which govern bowling ball dynamics.

Summarv of the Present Invention The present invention provides a bowling ball device which overcomes all of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the previously known inserts.

In brief, the bowling ball device of the present invention is designed for use in conjunction with a bowling ball having at least one elongated hole extending inwardly along a preset axis from an outer surface of the bowling ball.

Typically, this hole is cylindrical in cross-sectional shape.

A base having a size complementary to the bowling ball hole is dimensioned to fit into the bowling ball hole so that an outwardly facing surface of the base is spaced inwardly from the outer surface of the bowling ball and so that this outwardly facing surface lies in a plane substantially normal to the preset axis of the bowling ball hole. Any conventional means, such as glue, can be used to permanently affix the base at the inner end of the bowling ball hole or it may be otherwise incorporated into the initial design of a bowling ball.

In the preferred embodiment, an elongated sleeve is slidably received within the bowling ball hole and this sleeve includes an inner end adapted to abut against the outwardly facing end of the base. Furthermore, the length of the sleeve is dimensioned so that, with the inner end of the sleeve in abutment with the outwardly facing surface of the base, an outer end of the sleeve is substantially

flush with the outer surface of the bowling ball or, optionally, slightly recessed into the bowling ball.

Locking means are provided at the inner end of the sleeve and outwardly facing surface of the base for adjustably locking the sleeve and base together in at least two preselected indexably rotational positions of the sleeve relative to the base. In the preferred form of the invention, this locking means includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced and radially outwardly extending complementary serrations formed on the outwardly facing surface of the base and inner end of the sleeve. A threaded fastener, such as a bolt, is then commonly used to removably secure the sleeve to the base.

In order to permit easy removal of the sleeve from the bowling ball hole, despite thermal expansion of the sleeve or bowling ball, the outer diameter of the sleeve may be substantially less than the diameter of the bowling ball hole. In order to lock the sleeve against the bowling ball against transverse movement, the sleeve includes an outwardly flared lip at its outer end such that the outer diameter of the lip is substantially the same as the finished inner diameter of the bowling ball hole. Thus, with the sleeve positioned in the bowling ball hole, the outer periphery of the lip engages the inner periphery of the bowling ball hole to lock the sleeve against transverse movement. However, since the surface contact between the outer periphery of the lip and the inner periphery of the bowling ball hole is very small, the sleeve may be easily indexed or otherwise removed from the bowling ball hole when desired.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a thermal coating is preferably provided on the inner periphery of the sleeve bore. This thermal coating preferably comprises a durable (mineral) filled urethane composition, although other materials can alternatively be used.

Brief Description of the Drawing A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the

accompanying drawing, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which: FIG. 1 is an elevational view illustrating a bowling ball having inserts according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is an exploded view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a top view illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention installed in a bowling ball; FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 5 is a view taken substantially along line 5-5 in FIG. 4.

Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment of the Present Invention With reference first to FIGS. 1-3, a bowling ball 10 is there shown having three holes 12. Each hole 12 is adapted to receive a digit, such as a finger or thumb of a bowler. Furthermore, each bowling ball hole 12 is generally cylindrical in shape and extends inwardly from an outer surface 14 of the bowling ball 10.

With reference now particularly to FIG. 2, a preferred embodiment of a bowling ball device 16 of the present invention is there shown such that one device 16 is associated with at least one, and preferably all three, bowling ball holes 12.

With reference now particularly to FIGS. 2,4 and 5, a single bowling ball device 16 will now be described, it being understood that a like description shall also apply to the other bowling ball devices 16. Each bowling ball device 16 includes a generally cylindrical base 18 which is slidably received within the bowling ball hole 12 such that the base 18 is positioned adjacent a bottom 20 of the bowling ball hole 12. This base 18 includes an outwardly facing surface 22 which lies in a plane substantially normal to a preset longitudinal axis 24 of the

bowling ball hole 12 and has an outer diameter substantially the same as the hole 12.

The base 18 is fixedly secured at the bottom of the bowling ball hole 12 such that the outwardly facing surface 22 of the base 18 is positioned radially inwardly from an outer end 26 of the bowling ball hole 12. Any conventional means can be used to secure the base 18 within the bowling ball hole 12.

However, in the preferred embodiment, the base 18 is glued within the bowling ball hole 18. Preferably, one or more recessed locking ridges 28 (FIG. 2) are provided extending longitudinally along the surface of the base 18 which, when later filled (with glue and bowling ball sanding dust material) form a complementary locking means to further ensure against any transverse movement of the installed device.

Still referring to FIGS. 2,4 and 5, the device 16 further comprises an elongated sleeve 30 which is generally cylindrical in cross-section and has an inner end 32 adapted to substantially flatly abut against the outwardly facing surface 22 of the base 18. Furthermore, the sleeve 30 is longitudinally dimensioned so that, with the inner end 32 of the sleeve 30 in abutment with the outwardly facing surface 22 of the base 18, an outer end 34 of the sleeve 30 is either substantially flush or slightly recessed (hereinafter collectively referred to as substantially flush) with the outer surface 14 of the bowling ball 10.

Both sleeve 30 and base 18 are made of a nonferrous material, such as plastic.

As best shown in FIG. 4, the sleeve 30 includes a bore 36 which is dimensioned to receive a digit, such as a finger or thumb, of a bowler.

Furthermore, this bore 36 may be aligned at an axis offset from the axis 24 of the bowling ball hole 12.

Means are provided at the inner end 32 of the sleeve 30 and outwardly facing surface 22 of the base 18 to lock the sleeve 30 and base 18 together in at least two preselected indexably rotational positions of the sleeve 30 relative to the base 18. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, this locking means

comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced and radially extending serrations 38 on the base 18 which mesh with complementary serrations 40 on the sleeve 30.

Once the sleeve 30 is positioned at the desired indexable, rotational position relative to the base 18, a threaded fastener 42 extends through the sleeve 30 and threadably engages the base 18 to lock the sleeve 30 against both rotational and longitudinal movement relative to each other.

Index marks on the sleeve 30 and the ball 10 allow the sleeve to be rapidly rotationally positioned in the ball to the desired indexed position.

In order to facilitate removal of the sleeve 30 from the bowling ball hole 12, the sleeve 30 has a diameter less than the diameter of the bowling ball hole 12 so that a space 44 is formed between the sleeve 30 and bowling ball hole 12. In order to prevent lateral movement of the sleeve 30 relative to the bowling ball 10, the sleeve 30 includes an outwardly flared lip 50 at its outer end. This lip 50 has an outer cylindrical periphery substantially the same as the diameter of the bowling ball hole 12. Consequently, with the sleeve 30 positioned in the bowling ball hole 12 as shown in FIG. 5, the outer periphery of the lip 50 engages the finished inner periphery of the bowling ball hole 12 and prevents any unwanted vertical, lateral or radial displacement of the sleeve 30 relative to the bowling ball hole 12. However, since the sleeve lip 50 ideally provides only minimal surface contact between the sleeve 30 and the bowling ball hole 12, easy removal of the sleeve 30 from the bowling ball hole 12 can be achieved, despite thermal expansion of the sleeve 30.

As best shown in FIG. 5, an annular recessed groove 51 is formed around the top of the base. Upon installation of the base 18, the adhesive coacts with ball dust in the groove 51 to form a series of adhesive locking ridges which prevents transverse movement of the installed base 18.

Still referring to FIG. 5, a thermal coating 52 is optionally provided along at least a portion of the sleeve bore 36. This thermal coating 52 is preferably made of a durable, filled urethane. Furthermore, preferably both the sleeve 30 and

base 18 are comprised of a rigid, non-metallic plastic or plastic-like composition material.

A primary advantage of the bowling ball dynamics control device of the present invention is that, since the sleeve 30 is removably secured to the base 18 at at least two preselected indexably rotational positions, the bowler can attain ultimate ball dynamics and hand control regarding the bowling ball by merely adjusting the indexable rotational positioning of the sleeve (s) 30. Furthermore, a single sleeve 30 is easily rapidly interchangeable between different bowling balls, i. e. incorporated still further to encompass"house balls"which will teach and promote a"higher level"of understanding of ball control dynamics.

A still further advantage of the present invention is that the sleeve 30 can be easily removed from the bowling ball hole 12 despite thermal expansion of the sleeve 30 with relation to the bowling ball.

Having described my invention, however, many modifications thereto will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains without deviation from the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: