Bowling ball retention device

Abstract

A bowling ball retention device is disclosed which includes a plurality of spaced apart openings having a diameter based on the thickness of the device to retain the ball from rolling. Made from sheet material, numerous shapes are possible to allow integration around a ball return or placement upon other flat surfaces.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A bowling ball retention device for retaining a bowling ball from rolling comprising: 
 a sheet of material having a thickness “t” and including a top surface and a bottom surface,    said sheet having a plurality of through-holes each having an opening,    whereby the diameter of the opening of the through-holes is a function of the thickness of the sheet material according the equation;      D= 2{square root}(2 tR−t   2 )     wherein D is equal to the diameter of the opening in the through-hole, “t” is equal to said thickness of the sheet material and R is equal to the radius of the bowling ball.    
     
     
         2 . The bowling ball retention device of  claim 1 , wherein said sheet of material comprises wood.  
     
     
         3 . The bowling ball retention device of  claim 1 , wherein said sheet of material comprises plastic.  
     
     
         4 . The bowling ball retention device of  claim 3 , wherein said sheet of material comprises a foamed plastic.  
     
     
         5 . The bowling ball retention device of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of said sheet of material is between and including 0.125 inches to 1.000 inches.  
     
     
         6 . The bowling ball retention device of  claim 1 , wherein the holes are spaced apart on center by a distance of about 8.60 inches to 10.50 inches.  
     
     
         7 . The bowling ball retention device of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of through-holes are located on center from one another by about 9.25 inches to about 9.50 inches.  
     
     
         8 . The bowling ball retention device of  claim 1 , wherein top and bottom surfaces of the sheet of material includes logos and embossments.  
     
     
         9 . The bowling ball retention device of  claim 1 , wherein a layer of material is attached to the bottom surface of said sheet of material to cover said through-holes.  
     
     
         10 . A method for retaining a ball from rolling comprising; 
 providing a sheet of material having a thickness “t” and including a top surface and a bottom surface,    said sheet having a plurality of through-holes each having an opening,    whereby the diameter of the opening of the through-holes is a function of the thickness of the sheet material according the equation;      D= 2{square root}(2 tR−t   2 )     wherein D is equal to the diameter of the opening in the through-hole, “t” is equal to said thickness of the sheet material and R is equal to the radius of the bowling ball.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the step of providing a sheet of material is followed by the steps of providing a ball and placing said ball in said opening.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the ball weighs between about 6 pounds and about 16 pounds.