Ten pin bowling ball

Abstract

The present invention concerns a bowling ball having an arrangement of holes for allowing a bowler to grip the ball. The arrangement includes a thumbhole having a profile which is shaped to accommodate the thumb of the bowler in a bent position. The thumbhole can be configured to accommodate the thumb of the bowler in a bent position in which the bowler grips the ball, and provides a clearance fit with the thumb of the bowler when in a substantially straight position. The shaped profile of the thumbhole can be provided by a pad for the thumb or be defined by an insert to the thumbhole.

1 . A bowling ball comprising an arrangement of holes for allowing a bowler to grip the ball, wherein the arrangement comprises a thumbhole having a profile which is shaped to accommodate the thumb of the bowler in a bent position. 
   
   
       2 . A bowling ball as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the thumbhole is configured to accommodate the thumb of the bowler in a bent position in which the bowler grips the ball, and provides a clearance fit with the thumb of the bowler when in a substantially straight position. 
   
   
       3 . A bowling ball as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the thumbhole has a longitudinal axis and a cross-section which is variable along the longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       4 . A bowling ball as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the thumbhole has a longitudinal axis and comprises a contact surface for a pad of a thumb of a bowler, the contact surface being inclined to the longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       5 . A bowling ball as  claim 1  wherein the thumbhole comprises at least one wall longitudinal to the thumbhole and a formation in the wall configured to be gripped by the thumb of a bowler in a bent position. 
   
   
       6 . A bowling ball as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the formation is a recess or niche formed in the wall. 
   
   
       7 . A bowling ball as claimed  claim 1  wherein the thumbhole has a curved profile. 
   
   
       8 . A bowling ball as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the thumbhole has an angular profile. 
   
   
       9 . A bowling ball as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the shaped profile is defined by an insert to the thumbhole. 
   
   
       10 . A bowling ball as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the arrangement of holes comprises a finger hole having a longitudinal axis and a contact surface for a pad of a finger, the contact surface being inclined to the longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       11 . An insert for a thumbhole of a bowling ball, the insert comprising a shaped profile which defines a formation in the wall configured, in use, to be gripped by the thumb of a bowler in a bent position. 
   
   
       12 . An insert as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the insert defines a contact surface, the contact surface configured, in use, to be contacted by a pad of a thumb of a bowler with the thumb in a bent position. 
   
   
       13 . An insert as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the insert is configured to be located on a longitudinal wall of a thumbhole of a bowling ball and defines a formation upstanding from the wall. 
   
   
       14 . An insert as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the insert has a throughbore configured to accommodate the thumb of the bowler in a bent position in which the bowler grips the ball, and provides a clearance fit with the thumb of the bowler when the thumb is in a substantially straight position. 
   
   
       15 . An insert as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the throughbore has a longitudinal axis and a cross-section which is variable along the longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       16 . An insert as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the throughbore has a longitudinal axis and the contact surface is inclined to the longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       17 . An insert as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the throughbore comprises at least one wall longitudinal to the throughbore and the formation is a recess or niche formed in the wall. 
   
   
       18 . An insert as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the insert is asymmetrical and is configured to be located in the thumbhole in a first orientation and a second inverted orientation. 
   
   
       19 . An insert as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the insert is configured to be located in the thumbhole in a plurality of rotational positions.