US3704994A

US3704994A - Wrist support and palm pad for bowling

Info

Publication number: US3704994A
Application number: US146397A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert J Krzewinski; Henry J Kirchgessner
Original assignee: REV MASTER IND Inc
Current assignee: REV MASTER IND Inc
Priority date: 1971-05-24
Filing date: 1971-05-24
Publication date: 1972-12-05
Anticipated expiration: 1989-12-05

Abstract

A wrist support for bowling having an arcuate and relatively rigid portion for engaging the back of a bowler''s hand and wrist and preventing any relative movement between the bowler''s hand and wrist with a first pliable portion extending along one edge of the rigid portion contacting the palm of the bowler''s hand and a resilient pad mounted on the pliable portion to engage a bowling ball and a second pliable portion extending along the other edge of the rigid portion for wrapping about the bowler''s wrist. Both pliable portions having straps and buckles for fastening the wrist support in firm and relatively tight contact relation with the bowler''s hand and wrist.

Description

D United States Patent 51 3,704,994 Krzewinski et al. 1 Dec. 5, 1972 [541 WRIST SUPPORT AND PALM PAD FOR 3,564,613 2/1971 Fowler ..273/54 B x BOWLING 3,512,776 5/1970 Thomas..... [72] Inventors: Robert J. Krzewinski, p Locka; 2,518,424 8/1950 Kaas ..2/162X g gg K'rchgessner Mlramar Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Attorney-Salvatore o. Militana [73] Assignee: Rev Master Industries, Inc., Pembroke Pines, Fla. A R CT [22] Filed; May 24, 1971 A wrist support for bowling having an arcuate and relatively rigid portion for engaging the back of a [2]] Appl' 146397 bowlers hand and wrist and preventing any relative movement between the bowlers hand and wrist with a [52] us. (:1. ..273/54 B, 2/161 -A first pliable Portion extending along one g of the 5.1] int'ci. ..A63b 71/14 rigid Portion Contacting the P of the bowlers hand [53] Field Search "273/54 B, 189 A; 128/165; and a resilient pad mounted on the pliable portion to 2/16, 20, 159, 161 R 161 A 162 166 170 engage a bowling ball and a second pliable portion extending along the other edge of the rigid portion for [56] References Cited wrapping about the bowlers wrist. Both pliable portions having straps and buckles for fastening the wrist UNITED STATES PATENTS support in firm and relatively tight contact relation with the bowlers hand and wrist. 2,924,458 2/1960 Barry ..273/54 B 3,598,408 8/1971 Klose ..273/54 B 1 Claim, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEU BEE 5 I973 3.704.994

INVENTORS ROBERT J. KRZEWINSKI HENRY -J. KIRCH GESSNER ATTORNEY WRIST SUPPORT AND PALM PAD FOR BOWLING The present invention relates to wrist supporting devices and is more particularly directed to such devices for maintaining a persons wrist joint completely inflexible while participating in the sport of bowling.

The conventional wrist support bands and other devices inhibit or retard bending movement of the wrist in only two directions, that is swinging of the hand back and forth but do not successfully prevent also the bending of the wrist from side to side. Any bending of the wrist by the bowler at the precise moment the bowling ball is leaving the bowlers hand causes loss of control of theball. Bowlers must bowl with a stiff inflexible wrist to obtain maximum accuracy in the travel of the ball to the pins. The present invention contemplates avoiding all possible bending of the wrists in bowling.

Therefore, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a wrist support for bowling which renders the bowlers wrist'immobile in all directions so that there can be no relative movement between the wrist and hand while bowling and no consequent loss of control of the bowling ball.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a wrist support for bowling that'compels the arm and hand of a bowler to function as a unit while bowling and maintain the hand in the same position on the bowling ball at each delivery of the ball.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a wrist support for bowling with a resilient pad that takes up the space normally between the bowlers hand and the bowling ball whereby upon release of the ball, the force of the compressed pad causes the thumb to slide out of the groove in the bowling ball as the ball rolls off the palm of the hand and releasing the fingers from the ball without twisting of the wrist'and causing loss of control of the ball.

A still further object of the present invention ,is to provide a wrist support for bowling which commences the rotation or spinning of the ball as it leaves the bowlers hand so that when the ball contacts the floor of the bowling lane, the ball is rotating and will be propelled in precisely the direction intended and will not skid or change direction as might occur when a forwardly propelled ball comences to rotate when it contacts the floor.

With these and other objects in view, the invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawing but may be changed or modified so long as such changes or modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wrist support for bowling constructed in accordance with our invention and shown in position on a bowlers hand holding a bowling ball.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are rear and front plan views of the wrist support as seen strapped to a bowlers wrist.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of our wrist support prior to positioning on a bowlers wrist. 1

FIG. 5 is aplan view showing our wrist support in its extended position.

FIG. 6 is a side edge view thereof.

Referring to the drawing wherein like numerals are used to designate similar parts throughout the several views, the numeral 10 refers to our wrist support-consisting of length of pliable material such as leather, plastic and the like having one edge portion 11 out along a straight line while its opposite edge portion 12 is cut on a bias extending from a wide end portion 13 to a narrow end portion 14.

At the approximate mid-portion of the wrist support 10 is the backing or wrist engaging portion 15 consisting of a second piece of rigid material such as a relatively thick piece of leathersewn as along its

edges

16, 16 to the pliable material. The rigid material portion 15 is curved along its edge portions 11 and 12 as shown by FIG. 6 to fit evenly about the bowlers wrist with the enlarged portion 17 of the wrist support 10 engaging the palm of the bowler and the narrow portion 18 being wound about the back of the bowlers wrist.

The enlarged portion 17 .is provided with strap 19 secured at one end as at 20 adapted to extend through a slot 21 and be fastened to a buckle 22 mounted on the rigid portion 15. The narrow end portion 18 is provided with a strap 23 that is affixed thereto by a fastener 24 and which extends completely about the wrist support 10 to be fastened to a buckle 25 secured to the end portion 18.

The enlarged or palm portion 17 is provided with an enlarged opening 26 for receiving the thumb of the bowler and with a pliable pad 27 that bears against a bowling ball when the bowler has the bowling ball in position in his hand preparatory to releasing the bowling ball. The pad 27 which is relatively resilient is approximately triangular in shape as shown by FIG. 5 with an arcuate edge portion '28 joined at its ends by straight edge portions 29. The resilient pad 26 is thickest at the arcuate edge portion 28 forming a dome which is at the position of the heel of the palm of the bowlers hand when the wrist support 10 is being used in bowling.

In the normal use of our wrist support 10, the bowlers thumb will extend through the opening 26, with the enlarged palm portion 17 extending across the bowlers palm and front of his wrist while the rigid portion 15 extends across the back of his hand and wrist. The narrow end portion 18 is wrapped around and encircling his wrist with the strap 23 engaged by the buckle 25 to tighten the wrist support 10 fairly taut around the bowlers wrist. The other strap 19 is slipped under the rigid wrist portion 15 inserted through the slot 21, engaged by the buckle 22 and pulled tightly to bring the wrist portion 15 into firm contact with the wrist and back of the bowlers hand. The wrist support 10 is in such control of the bowler*s hand and wrist that there can be no movement of the wrist in any direction with relation to the bowlers hand. When the bowler now grips a bowling ball, the resilient pad 26 will bear tightly against the bowling ball at the heel of his hand. When the bowling ball is released as occurs when bowling, the pressure of the resilient pad 26 forces the bowling ball to commence to roll off the fingers of the bowler so that then the bowling ball is thrown forwardly, it immediately commences to start rotating about its own axis and will be revolving when it con tacts the floor of the alley on its way toward the bowling pins. This action prevents the bowling ball from sliding along the alley and thereby gives the bowler better control and accuracy of the bowling ball. At the same time, the hand and arm of the bowler is compelled to act as a unit with the wrist held immobile in all possible directions that a wrist is capable of bending. It is a known fact that by bending of a wrist while bowling causes loss of control of the bowling ball. The resilient pad 27 takes up the space that normally exists between the bowlers palm and the bowling ball and becomes compressed at its dome portion whereby upon release of the bowling ball, the force of the pad 27 springs the thumb out of the bowling ball first to commence the bowling ball to rotate as the ball then leaves the palm of the bowlers hand and the fingers slip out of the openings in the bowling ball.

What I claim as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A wrist support for bowling comprising a substantially rigid member for engaging the back of a bowlers hand and having opposing edge portions, a buckle mounted on said rigid member with a slot formed adjacent said buckle, a substantially pliable member extending along each of said edge portions, one of said pliable members being a palm portion having an opening for receiving the thumb of a bowler and a substantially resilient pad mounted thereon, the other of said pliable members having a buckle mounted thereon, and straps extending from both of said pliable members adapted to engage said buckles for fastening said wrist support about the bowlers hand and wrist and rendering the wrist immobile, said strap of said palm portion being adapted to extend through said slot in said rigid portion and engage said buckle adjacent said slot while said other of said pliable members being adapted to extend over the palm and wrist of the bowler with said strap of said other of said pliable member engaging said buckle mounted thereon and the thumb of the bowler adapted to extend through said opening in said palm portion wherein said pad will engage a bowling ball held by the bowler prior to releasing said ball while bowling.

Claims

1. A wrist support for bowling comprising a substantially rigid member for engaging the back of a bowler''s hand and having opposing edge portions, a buckle mounted on said rigid member with a slot formed adjacent said buckle, a substantially pliable member extending along each of said edge portions, one of said pliable members being a palm portion having an opening for receiving the thumb of a bowler and a substantially resilient pad mounted thereon, the other of said pliable members having a buckle mounted thereon, and straps extending from both of said pliable members adapted to engage said buckles for fastening said wrist support about the bowler''s hand and wrist and rendering the wrist immobile, said strap of said palm portion being adapted to extend through said slot in said rigid portion and engage said buckle adjacent said slot while said other of said pliable members being adapted to extend over the palm and wrist of the bowler with said strap of said other of said pliable member engaging said buckle mounted thereon and the thumb of the bowler adapted to extend through said opening in said palm portion wherein said pad will engage a bowling ball held by the bowler prior to releasing said ball while bowling.