GB2137889A

GB2137889A - Collapsible bowling aid

Info

Publication number: GB2137889A
Application number: GB08309739A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Derek John Jones
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-04-11
Filing date: 1983-04-11
Publication date: 1984-10-17
Also published as: GB8309739D0

Abstract

A bowling aid comprises a base 1 with a circular hole 3 and an arrow margin 4 around the front edge allowing the bowler to pick up a wood from the green. The aid has a sectionalised handle 5,7, the sections being located with sleeves and sockets 6,8 provided in the parts of the handle and base, and being collapsible into a flat condition adjacent the base 1. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION An Aid for Use in the Game of Bowls For some players, enjoyment of the game of bowls may be impaired to a greater or less extent by discomfort or disability resulting from the necessity for bending down in order to lift and move bowls.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple convenient aid for bowlers by the use of which the above problem may be mitigated.

In accordance with the invention, a device affording the said aid comprises a small elongate platform or pick-up tray with a round hole or recess of a size and position to locate a bowl on the tray or platform towards one end and a handle or stick member connected to the upper side thereof towards the other end.

Advantageously the handle or stick member is made collapsible, foldable or the like in order that the device may be reduced to a compact conveniently transportable size when not in actual use. It can then be accommodated in a bowling bag.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be more fully described by way of example with reference to the accompanying perspective drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a device in a collapsed condition, Figure 2 a similar device in an erected or opened condition and Figure 3 the device of Fig. 1 ready for use with a bowl located on its tray.

The device illustrated comprises a flat elongate tray 1 with a shallow upstanding stiffening ledge 2 around its square rear edge and, at the middle of its front portion, a circular hole 3 of a size to locate a normal bowl without permitting it to fall through. A narrow margin 4 extends around the hole 3, but there is no upstanding ledge there.

Upstanding from near the straight rear redge of the tray in Figures 2 and 3 is a compact carrying handle comprising a straight part 5 fixed in a socket 6 and a crooked part 7 detachably mounted, for instance with a splined or sleeved fit, in a socket 8 on the part 5.

The device shown in Figs. 2 and 3 differs in detail from that of Fig. 1, but parts serving the same purpose are indicated by the same reference numeral.

For locating a bowl on the device for transporting and depositing it, the device may be placed on the green and a bowl 9 can be edged by the player's foot from the green over the front margin 4 of the hole 3 so as to come to rest in the latter. For the reverse operation, the bowl may be similarly edged off the tray over the margin 4 of the hole 3. For neither operation need a disabled player kneel or bend down uncomfortably. No risk of damage to the green is to be feared. The device may also be employed as a walking aid.

Other arrangements of collapsible stick sections may be employed.

A device essentially similar to that described above may evidently be utilised for manipulating other spherical or like games objects which present comparable problems to persons with certain disabilities.

The device may be manufactured from various kinds of materials including metals and plastics and by various methods including plate-punching, die casting and moulding in plastics, for instance.

1. A collapsible bowling aid which comprises of a base, a flat elongated area with a shallow upstanding ledge around its square rear edge, a suitable circular hole of size to locate a normal bowl without permitting it to fall through. The collapsible sections of the handle, allow the aid to be condensed in size for transportation and convenience.

2. A collapsible bowling aid as in claim 1 wherein locate means in the elongated and strengthened base a circular hole with a narrow margin around the hole with no upstanding ledge.

The hole locates a normal bowl without permitting it to fall through is located in the middle of the front portion.

3. A collapsible bowling aid as in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the base and handle parts are located together by a sleeving mechanism.

4. A collapsible bowling aid as in claim 1, claim 2 and claim 3 are held in their correct position by a tension cord, allowing the collapsible bowling aid to be assembled and disassembled located by the sleeve mechanism.

5. A collapsible bowling aid assembled may also be used as a support while a delivery of the wood is being made.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION An Aid for Use in the Game of Bowls For some players, enjoyment of the game of bowls may be impaired to a greater or less extent by discomfort or disability resulting from the necessity for bending down in order to lift and move bowls. It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple convenient aid for bowlers by the use of which the above problem may be mitigated. In accordance with the invention, a device affording the said aid comprises a small elongate platform or pick-up tray with a round hole or recess of a size and position to locate a bowl on the tray or platform towards one end and a handle or stick member connected to the upper side thereof towards the other end. Advantageously the handle or stick member is made collapsible, foldable or the like in order that the device may be reduced to a compact conveniently transportable size when not in actual use. It can then be accommodated in a bowling bag. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be more fully described by way of example with reference to the accompanying perspective drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a device in a collapsed condition, Figure 2 a similar device in an erected or opened condition and Figure 3 the device of Fig. 1 ready for use with a bowl located on its tray. The device illustrated comprises a flat elongate tray 1 with a shallow upstanding stiffening ledge 2 around its square rear edge and, at the middle of its front portion, a circular hole 3 of a size to locate a normal bowl without permitting it to fall through. A narrow margin 4 extends around the hole 3, but there is no upstanding ledge there. Upstanding from near the straight rear redge of the tray in Figures 2 and 3 is a compact carrying handle comprising a straight part 5 fixed in a socket 6 and a crooked part 7 detachably mounted, for instance with a splined or sleeved fit, in a socket 8 on the part 5. The device shown in Figs. 2 and 3 differs in detail from that of Fig. 1, but parts serving the same purpose are indicated by the same reference numeral. For locating a bowl on the device for transporting and depositing it, the device may be placed on the green and a bowl 9 can be edged by the player's foot from the green over the front margin 4 of the hole 3 so as to come to rest in the latter. For the reverse operation, the bowl may be similarly edged off the tray over the margin 4 of the hole 3. For neither operation need a disabled player kneel or bend down uncomfortably. No risk of damage to the green is to be feared. The device may also be employed as a walking aid. Other arrangements of collapsible stick sections may be employed. A device essentially similar to that described above may evidently be utilised for manipulating other spherical or like games objects which present comparable problems to persons with certain disabilities. The device may be manufactured from various kinds of materials including metals and plastics and by various methods including plate-punching, die casting and moulding in plastics, for instance. CLAIMS