Fluorescent bowling balls

Abstract

A novel element is added to a bowling game by incorporating an ultraviolet light-sensitive dye or pigment in a bowling surface ( 24 ), a gutter ( 25 ), a bowling ball ( 26 ), and/or a bowling pin ( 28 ). A bowling establishment ( 10 ) is provided with an ultraviolet light source ( 50 ), ( 52 ), which, when conventional lighting ( 42 ), ( 44 ), ( 46 ) is dimmed and/or turned off, will cause the ultraviolet light-sensitive dye or pigment to fluoresce, such that the components ( 24 ), ( 26 ), ( 30 ) fluoresce and glow to provide a pleasing effect attractive to bowlers.

The invention claimed is:  
     
         1 . A bowling ball comprising a spherical structure having at least a portion thereof made in part of a material that emits visible light in response to exposure to electromagnetic radiation, said bowling ball having sufficient size to permit forming a plurality of finger holes therein adapted to receive fingers of a user.  
     
     
         2 . A bowling ball comprising a spherical structure having at least a portion thereof made in part of a material that emits visible light in response to exposure to electromagnetic radiation; and further including a plurality of finger holes provided through a surface of said spherical structure.  
     
     
         3 . The bowling ball as defined in    claim 1   , wherein said light emitting material fluoresces when irradiated with non-visible electromagnetic radiation.  
     
     
         4 . The bowling ball as defined in    claim 1   , wherein said light emitting material fluoresces when irradiated with electromagnetic radiation, at least a portion of which being ultraviolet light.  
     
     
         5 . The bowling ball as defined in    claim 1   , wherein said spherical structure includes a core and a cover covering the exterior surface of said core, and wherein said light emitting material is provided in said cover.  
     
     
         6 . The bowling ball as defined in    claim 5   , wherein said cover is formed of a mixture of said light emitting material and a polymeric material.  
     
     
         7 . The bowling ball as defined in    claim 1   , wherein said light emitting material is a fluorescent dye or pigment.  
     
     
         8 . The bowling ball as defined in    claim 1   , wherein said spherical structure includes a core and a coating of said light emitting material covering at least a portion of the exterior surface of said core.  
     
     
         9 . The bowling ball as defined in    claim 8   , wherein said light emitting material includes a fluorescent dye or pigment mixed with polyester or a urethane resin.  
     
     
         10 . A bowling ball comprising: 
 a spherical core having an outer surface, the majority of which is free of dimples; and    means provided on a portion of said spherical core for emitting visible light in response to exposure to electromagnetic radiation, at least a portion of which being non-visible.    
     
     
         11 . The bowling ball as defined in    claim 10   , wherein said means includes a finish including a fluorescent dye or pigment.  
     
     
         12 . The bowling ball as defined in    claim 10   , wherein said means emits visible light when irradiated with ultraviolet light.  
     
     
         13 . A bowling ball comprising: 
 a spherical core having a circumference of about twenty-seven inches; and    a cover provided on said spherical core, said cover having a finish including a mixture of a polymeric material and a fluorescent dye or pigment that emits visible light when irradiated with ultraviolet light.    
     
     
         14 . The bowling ball as defined in    claim 13   , wherein said polymeric material is a polyester or a urethane resin.  
     
     
         15 . A bowling ball comprising a spherical structure having a circumference of about twenty-seven inches, said bowling ball having at least a portion thereof made at least in part of a material that emits visible light in response to exposure to electromagnetic radiation.  
     
     
         16 . A tenpin bowling ball comprising: 
 a spherical core having a circumference of about twenty-seven inches; and    a cover provided on said spherical core, said cover having a finish including a mixture of a polymeric material and a fluorescent dye or pigment that emits visible light when irradiated with ultraviolet light.    
     
     
         17 . A bowling ball comprising a spherical structure having at least a portion thereof made in part of a material that emits visible light in response to exposure to electromagnetic radiation, said bowling ball having sufficient size and weight to permit use in a bowling game wherein said bowling ball is used to strike and knock down bowling pins.