US3162956A - Bowling fitting ball - Google Patents

Bowling fitting ball Download PDF

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US3162956A
US3162956A US183435A US18343562A US3162956A US 3162956 A US3162956 A US 3162956A US 183435 A US183435 A US 183435A US 18343562 A US18343562 A US 18343562A US 3162956 A US3162956 A US 3162956A
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ball
pitch
hole
thumb
segments
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US183435A
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Jr Fred P Ayre
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
    • A63B37/0001—Balls with finger holes, e.g. for bowling
    • A63B37/0002—Arrangements for adjusting, improving or measuring the grip, i.e. location, size, orientation or the like of finger holes

Definitions

  • a bowling ball is normally provided with three holes for accommodating the thumb and two fingers of the bowler.
  • the proper size, span and pitch for these holes will depend, among other things, on the thumb and finger sizes, and the hand span, of the bowler.
  • fitting balls In order to determine the proper size, span and pitch of these holes for a given bowler, fitting balls have been used in the past, provided with holes of various sizes and pitches therein and with means for varying the span between the holes. After a bowler has found a combination of sizes, span and pitch which fit his hand, these are measured and the measurements used to drill an actual bowling ball. Prior fitting balls, however, have had certain drawbacks, which are overcome by the fitting ball of this invention.
  • Another object is to provide a fitting bowling ball in which the span can be varied over a wide range.
  • Another object is to provide a fitting bowling ball in which the pitch of the thumb hole will vary automatically with changes in the span.
  • Another object is to provide a fitting bowling ball having calibration marks for measuring the span.
  • Another object is to provide a fitting bowling ball having calibration marks for adjusting the orientation of the finger holes in accordance with changes in span.
  • Another object is to provide a fitting bowling ball in which the pitch of the finger and thumb hole can be varied by the user over a wide range.
  • FIG. 1 is a view in elevation of a fitting ball embodying the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the ball on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the ball on the line 33 of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the ball on th line 44 of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 5 is a view of a portion of the ball as shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 6 is a view of the same portion of the ball, after adjustment to increase the span.
  • FIG. 7 is a view in elevation of a modified form of the ball of this invention.
  • the ball 1 is a sphere of standard bowling ball diameter (8.600), comprising two segments, 2 and 3, releasably secured together by the bolt 4 and nut 5, which extends through the center of the ball in a direction normal to the plane of the abutting edge 7 of the segments.
  • the segments are hemispherical with substantially fiat abutting faces, but segments of other shapes may be used.
  • a radially directed hole 8 of circular cross-section having a diameter of 2 /2" and hav ing its lower edge approximately above edge 7.
  • a matching plug 9 having an outer surface 10 of the same radius of curvature as the segment 3 and flush with the outer surface thereof.
  • Plug 9 is removably secured in hole 8 by setscrew 6.
  • Plug 9 is provided with a pair of finger holes 11 and 12, the lower edges of which are approximately /2" above the lower edge 8' of plug 9.
  • Hole 8 and plug 9 are shown as cylindrical, but may be tapered instead.
  • a thumb hole 13 Located in the segment 2 is a thumb hole 13, and a plurality of similar thumb holes 13 of different diameters, with their upper edges approximately below edge 7.
  • span denotes the distance between the edge of the thumb hole and the edges of the finger holes, as indicated at 21 in FIG. 1.
  • the team pitch as used herein denotes the direction of the finger and thumb holes with respect to the plane bisecting the opening of the thumb hole and the space between the finger holes, and extending through the center of the ball.
  • FIG. 3 is a view on this plane, which is at a right angle to the plane of FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 3 shows that the axis of the finger holes 11 and 12, when extended past the center of the ball, pass /3" below the center as indicated at 15; that is the finger holes have /8" forward pitch. (If the extended axes passed above the center of the ball the holes would be said to have reverse pitch.)
  • forward pitch and reverse pitch are hereinafter called collectively vertical pitch.
  • Reference to FIG. 4 shows that the axes of the finger holes 11 and 12 are parallel to the plane of FIG. 3; that is they have no right or left pitch.
  • right pitch and left pitch are hereinafter called collectively lateral pitch.
  • FIG. 3 shows that the axis of the thumb hole 13 extends through the center of the ball; that is the thumb hole 13 has neither forward nor reverse pitch. (If the extended axis of the thumb hole 13 passed above the center of the ball the hole would be said to have forward pitch; if below, reverse pitch.)
  • Reference to FIG. 2 shows tha the axis of the thumb hole 13 is not parallel to the plane of FIG. 3 but, if extended past the center of the ball, passes to the right thereof as indicated at 22 that is; the thumb hole has /8" right pitch. Thumb holes 13 are positioned similarly to thumb hole 13.
  • the ball of this invention permits such change in the pitch of the thumb hole to be accomplished automatically, as will now be described.
  • the ball 1 is provided with a number of plugs 9 having finger holes of various sizes.
  • the selected plug will be secured in hole 8, the nut 5 loosened, and the halves of the ball rotated until plug 9 is substantially opposite the selected thumb hole, which will be assumed to be thumb hole 13, as shown in FIG. 5, in which position the span will be 3". If the span is too small, the halves of the ball will be further rotated, for example, to the position shown in FIG. 6, thus increasing the span; to compensate for the change in orientation of the holes, the plug 9 will be rotated counter-clockwise to the position shown in FIG. 6. In the position shown, the span will be 4".
  • a ball designed in accordance with the foregoing concepts can be used for fitting approximately 90% of all bowlers.
  • the ball as described above is for a right handed bowler, For a left handed bowler the pitch of the thumb holes is reversed.
  • plug 9 can be provided with finger holes of different pitch from that described; that thumb holes 13 and 13 may also be of different pitch from that described; that plug 9 maybe adjusted so that finger holes and thumb hole form other than an isoceles triangle; and that plug 9 may be provided with a single finger hole if desired.
  • FIG. 7 A variation of the ball as described above is shown in FIG. 7.
  • This ball is in all respects similar to the ball shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, and described above, except'that in lieu of having a plurality of thumb holes 13, the segment 2 is provided with a radially directed hole 14, of circular cross section, a matching plug 14' and a setscrew 16 or other means to hold it remo-vably in place.
  • the plug 14' is provided with a thumb hole 17 having the pitch described hereina-bove or any other selected pitch.
  • a plurality of plugs having thumb holes of various sizes may be provided.
  • This ball is adjusted to the user in the same manner as the ball of FIGS. 5 and 6.
  • the pitch of the thumb hole may be adjusted independently, instead of being dependent on the span.
  • this ball can be rolled like a regular bowling ball, thus enabling the bowler to test the feel or grip of 1 the fitting ball as it leaves his hand. This is an important advantage.
  • the ball may be provided with insertable Weights. This latter feature, however, is not a part of the present invention.
  • the ball is provided with a calibration mark 18 on segment 2 opposite each thumb hole 13 and a plurality of calibration marks 19 on seg-' ment 3.
  • plug 9 is provided with a calibration mark 20 and the perimeter of hole 8 is provided with a plurality of calibration marks 23.
  • the calibration marks 19 are conveniently calibrated in inches and designate the span when the plug 9 is adjusted so that its calibration mark is opposite the same designation on the perimeter of hole 8. This automatically measures the span and assures that'the finger holes will be properly oriented with respect to the thumb hole.
  • a bowling fitting ball comprising In order to take full advantage of this fea- (a) a pair of hemispherical segments removably sccured to form a ball,
  • said thumb hole as measured in a plane at right angles to the interface and bisecting the thumb hole at the surface of the ball, having a small amount of lateral pitch and having no vertical pitch,
  • a bowling fitting ball comprising (a) a pair of berm-spherical segments removably secured together to form a ball, (b) said segments being rotatable with respect to each other about an axis extending through the center of,
  • a bowling fitting ball comprising i V (a) a pair of hemispherical segments removably secured together to form a ball,

Description

Dec. 29, 1964 F. P. AYRE, JR 3,162,956
BOWLING FITTING BALL Filed March 29, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.
Fred I? Ayre Jr.
Dec. 29, 1964 F. P. AYRE, JR 3,162,956 BOWLING FITTING BALL Filed March 29, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Fred P. Ayre Jr.
United States Patent Ofiice 3,162,955 Patented Dec. 29, 1964 3,162,956 BQWLING FITTING BALL Fred P. Ayre, Jr., 321 E. Fairview Sh, Bethlehem, Pa. Filed Mar. 29, 1962, Ser. No. 183,435 3 Claims. (61. 33174) This invention relates to the sport of bowling, and in particular to what may be called a fitting ball, with which to measure a bowling ball for a given bowler.
A bowling ball is normally provided with three holes for accommodating the thumb and two fingers of the bowler. For a given bowler, the proper size, span and pitch for these holes, will depend, among other things, on the thumb and finger sizes, and the hand span, of the bowler.
In order to determine the proper size, span and pitch of these holes for a given bowler, fitting balls have been used in the past, provided with holes of various sizes and pitches therein and with means for varying the span between the holes. After a bowler has found a combination of sizes, span and pitch which fit his hand, these are measured and the measurements used to drill an actual bowling ball. Prior fitting balls, however, have had certain drawbacks, which are overcome by the fitting ball of this invention.
It is an object of this invention to provide a fitting bowling ball in which the sizes of the finger and thumb holes can be varied over a wide range.
Another object is to provide a fitting bowling ball in which the span can be varied over a wide range.
Another object is to provide a fitting bowling ball in which the pitch of the thumb hole will vary automatically with changes in the span.
Another object is to provide a fitting bowling ball having calibration marks for measuring the span.
Another object is to provide a fitting bowling ball having calibration marks for adjusting the orientation of the finger holes in accordance with changes in span.
Another object is to provide a fitting bowling ball in which the pitch of the finger and thumb hole can be varied by the user over a wide range.
Other objects will be apparent from the following description and claims and from the drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a view in elevation of a fitting ball embodying the invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the ball on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the ball on the line 33 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the ball on th line 44 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a view of a portion of the ball as shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a view of the same portion of the ball, after adjustment to increase the span.
FIG. 7 is a view in elevation of a modified form of the ball of this invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the ball 1 is a sphere of standard bowling ball diameter (8.600), comprising two segments, 2 and 3, releasably secured together by the bolt 4 and nut 5, which extends through the center of the ball in a direction normal to the plane of the abutting edge 7 of the segments. As shown, the segments are hemispherical with substantially fiat abutting faces, but segments of other shapes may be used.
Located in segment 3, is a radially directed hole 8 of circular cross-section, having a diameter of 2 /2" and hav ing its lower edge approximately above edge 7. Within said hole 8 is a matching plug 9 having an outer surface 10 of the same radius of curvature as the segment 3 and flush with the outer surface thereof. Plug 9 is removably secured in hole 8 by setscrew 6. Plug 9 is provided with a pair of finger holes 11 and 12, the lower edges of which are approximately /2" above the lower edge 8' of plug 9. Hole 8 and plug 9 are shown as cylindrical, but may be tapered instead.
Located in the segment 2 is a thumb hole 13, and a plurality of similar thumb holes 13 of different diameters, with their upper edges approximately below edge 7.
As used herein, the term span denotes the distance between the edge of the thumb hole and the edges of the finger holes, as indicated at 21 in FIG. 1.
The team pitch as used herein denotes the direction of the finger and thumb holes with respect to the plane bisecting the opening of the thumb hole and the space between the finger holes, and extending through the center of the ball. FIG. 3 is a view on this plane, which is at a right angle to the plane of FIG. 2.
Reference to FIG. 3 shows that the axis of the finger holes 11 and 12, when extended past the center of the ball, pass /3" below the center as indicated at 15; that is the finger holes have /8" forward pitch. (If the extended axes passed above the center of the ball the holes would be said to have reverse pitch.) For the purposes hereof forward pitch and reverse pitch are hereinafter called collectively vertical pitch. Reference to FIG. 4 shows that the axes of the finger holes 11 and 12 are parallel to the plane of FIG. 3; that is they have no right or left pitch. For the purposes hereof, right pitch and left pitch are hereinafter called collectively lateral pitch.
Reference to FIG. 3 shows that the axis of the thumb hole 13 extends through the center of the ball; that is the thumb hole 13 has neither forward nor reverse pitch. (If the extended axis of the thumb hole 13 passed above the center of the ball the hole would be said to have forward pitch; if below, reverse pitch.) Reference to FIG. 2 shows tha the axis of the thumb hole 13 is not parallel to the plane of FIG. 3 but, if extended past the center of the ball, passes to the right thereof as indicated at 22 that is; the thumb hole has /8" right pitch. Thumb holes 13 are positioned similarly to thumb hole 13.
It has been determined empirically that for the great majority of bowlers the foregoing represents correct pitches for the thumb and finger holes when the span is 3". It has also been determined that as the span is increased, the pitch of the thumb hole should be changed to compensate for such increase.
The ball of this invention permits such change in the pitch of the thumb hole to be accomplished automatically, as will now be described.
The ball 1 is provided with a number of plugs 9 having finger holes of various sizes.
After the bowler has selected a thumb hole of proper size, as well as a plug 9 having finger holes of proper sizes, the selected plug will be secured in hole 8, the nut 5 loosened, and the halves of the ball rotated until plug 9 is substantially opposite the selected thumb hole, which will be assumed to be thumb hole 13, as shown in FIG. 5, in which position the span will be 3". If the span is too small, the halves of the ball will be further rotated, for example, to the position shown in FIG. 6, thus increasing the span; to compensate for the change in orientation of the holes, the plug 9 will be rotated counter-clockwise to the position shown in FIG. 6. In the position shown, the span will be 4".
The rotation of segments 2 and 3, and of plug 9, from the positions shown in FIG. 5 to those shown in FIG. 6 does not change the pitch of the finger holes. However, the eifect of such rotation is to change the pitch of the thumb hole from zero forward or reverse pitch, right pitch, as in FIG. 5, to zero right or left pitch, reverse pitch, as in FIG. 6.
snsaeee the segments of the ball, and by further rotation of the plug 9 counterclockwise to correspond with the change in span, the effect will be given the thumb hole A" reverse pitch and A; left pitch.
A ball designed in accordance with the foregoing concepts can be used for fitting approximately 90% of all bowlers.
The ball as described above is for a right handed bowler, For a left handed bowler the pitch of the thumb holes is reversed.
It will be obvious that plug 9 can be provided with finger holes of different pitch from that described; that thumb holes 13 and 13 may also be of different pitch from that described; that plug 9 maybe adjusted so that finger holes and thumb hole form other than an isoceles triangle; and that plug 9 may be provided with a single finger hole if desired.
A variation of the ball as described above is shown in FIG. 7. This ball is in all respects similar to the ball shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, and described above, except'that in lieu of having a plurality of thumb holes 13, the segment 2 is provided with a radially directed hole 14, of circular cross section, a matching plug 14' and a setscrew 16 or other means to hold it remo-vably in place. The plug 14' is provided with a thumb hole 17 having the pitch described hereina-bove or any other selected pitch. A plurality of plugs having thumb holes of various sizes may be provided. t
This ball is adjusted to the user in the same manner as the ball of FIGS. 5 and 6. However, it has the added feature that the pitch of the thumb hole may be adjusted independently, instead of being dependent on the span. In addition, this ball can be rolled like a regular bowling ball, thus enabling the bowler to test the feel or grip of 1 the fitting ball as it leaves his hand. This is an important advantage. ture, the ball may be provided with insertable Weights. This latter feature, however, is not a part of the present invention.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the ball is provided with a calibration mark 18 on segment 2 opposite each thumb hole 13 and a plurality of calibration marks 19 on seg-' ment 3. Likewise, plug 9 is provided with a calibration mark 20 and the perimeter of hole 8 is provided with a plurality of calibration marks 23. The calibration marks 19 are conveniently calibrated in inches and designate the span when the plug 9 is adjusted so that its calibration mark is opposite the same designation on the perimeter of hole 8. This automatically measures the span and assures that'the finger holes will be properly oriented with respect to the thumb hole.
, Iclaim:
'' 1. A bowling fitting ball comprising In order to take full advantage of this fea- (a) a pair of hemispherical segments removably sccured to form a ball,
(b) said segments being rotatable with respect to each other about an axis extending through the center of, and perpendicular to, the interface,
(6) a thumb hole in one of said segments,
(d) said thumb hole, as measured in a plane at right angles to the interface and bisecting the thumb hole at the surface of the ball, having a small amount of lateral pitch and having no vertical pitch,
(e) a radially directed opening of circular cross-section (g) at least one finger hole in said plug. 2. A bowling fitting ball comprising (a) a pair of berm-spherical segments removably secured together to form a ball, (b) said segments being rotatable with respect to each other about an axis extending through the center of,
and perpendicular to, the interface,
(0) a thumb hole in one of said segments,
(a!) said thumb hole as measured in a plane at right angles to the interface and bisecting the thumb hole 3 at the surface of the ball having approximately 3 8" lateral pitch and having no vertical pitch,
(e) a radially directed opening of circular cross-section in the other of said segments, V V
(f) a matching plug rotatably mounted in said opening, and 1 (g) at least one finger hole in said plug.
. 3. A bowling fitting ball comprising i V (a) a pair of hemispherical segments removably secured together to form a ball,
(1)) said segments being rotatable with respect to each other about an axis extending' -through the center of, and perpendicular to, the interface,
(c) a thumb hole in one of said segments,
(d) said thumb hole as measured in a plane at right angles to the interface and bisecting the thumb hole at the surface of the ball having approximately ,45"
lateral pitch and having no vertical pitch,
(e) a radially directed opening of circular. cross-section in the other of said segments,
(f) a matching plug rotatably mounted in said open ing, and V (g) a pair of finger holes in said plug.
1/51 McLaIen 273-63 X

Claims (1)

1. A BOWLING FITTING BALL COMPRISING (A) A PAIR OF HEMI-SPHERICAL SEGMENTS REMOVABLY SECURED TO FORM A BALL, (B) SAID SEGMENTS BEING ROTATABLE WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER ABOUT AN AXIS EXTENDING THROUGH THE CENTER OF, AND PERPENDICULAR TO, THE INTERFACE, (C) A THUMB HOLE IN ONE OF SAID SEGMENTS, (D) SAID THUMB HOLE, AS MEASURED IN A PLANE AT RIGHT ANGLES TO THE INTERFACE AND BISECTING THE THUMB HOLE AT THE SURFACE OF THE BALL, HAVING A SMALL AMOUNT OF LATERAL PITCH AND HAVING NO VERTICAL PITCH, (E) A RADIALLY DIRECTED OPENING OF CIRCULAR CROSS-SECTION IN THE OTHER OF SAID SEGMENTS, (F) A MATCHING PLUG ROTATABLY MOUNTED IN SAID OPENING, AND (G) AT LEAST ONE FINGER HOLE IN SAID PLUG.
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Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2539918A (en) * 1948-04-05 1951-01-30 Mclaren William Bowling ball

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2539918A (en) * 1948-04-05 1951-01-30 Mclaren William Bowling ball

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