Equipment with movable hole plugs

Abstract

A bowling ball, including a spherical body defining an outer surface and at least one hole sized to receive a finger; and a depressible platform disposed within the at least one hole, where the platform is movable from a first position substantially adjacent to the outer surface to a second position subjacent to the outer surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bowling ball, comprising:
 a spherical body defining an outer surface and at least one hole sized to receive a finger; and   a depressible platform disposed within the at least one hole, wherein the platform is movable from a first position substantially adjacent to the outer surface to a second position subjacent to the outer surface.   
     
     
         2 . The bowling ball of  claim 1 , further comprising a biasing element coupled to the platform. 
     
     
         3 . The bowling ball of  claim 2 , wherein biasing element pre-disposes the platform towards the first position. 
     
     
         4 . The bowling ball of  claim 1 , wherein when the platform is in the first position, the spherical body has a substantially continuous outer surface. 
     
     
         5 . The bowling ball of  claim 2 , wherein biasing element is a spring. 
     
     
         6 . The bowling ball of  claim 2 , wherein biasing element is at least partially constructed from a resilient polymer. 
     
     
         7 . The bowling ball of  claim 2 , wherein biasing element is at least partially constructed from a shape-memory alloy. 
     
     
         8 . The bowling ball of  claim 1 , further comprising a stopping element that limits a range of movement of the platform. 
     
     
         9 . The bowling ball of  claim 7 , wherein the stopping element includes at least one of a protrusion, a lip, and a flange that abuts the platform. 
     
     
         10 . A ball, comprising:
 a body defining a hole therein,   a plug movably positioned in the hole, wherein the plug is movable from a first position substantially closing the hole to a second position allowing access to the hole; and   a resilient element coupled to the plug that biases the plug towards the first position.   
     
     
         11 . The ball of  claim 10 , wherein the body is substantially spherical. 
     
     
         12 . The ball of  claim 10 , wherein the ball is a bowling ball. 
     
     
         13 . The ball of  claim 10 , wherein the hole is sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of a person's finger. 
     
     
         14 . The ball of  claim 10 , wherein the body defines a plurality of holes. 
     
     
         15 . The ball of  claim 14 , further comprising a plurality of plugs, each of the plurality of plugs being movably positioned in each of the plurality of holes, wherein each plug is movable from a first position substantially closing the respective hole to a second position allowing access to the respective hole. 
     
     
         16 . The ball of  claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of resilient elements, wherein each resilient element is coupled to one of the plurality of plugs to bias the respective plug towards the first position. 
     
     
         17 . A method of using a ball having one or more finger holes therein, comprising:
 engaging at least one of the finger holes by depressing a platform disposed within the finger hole, and   disengaging the at least one finger hole, wherein disengagement results in movement of the platform.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising rolling the ball towards a plurality of bowling pins. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein movement of the platform includes the platform moving into a position proximate to an exterior surface of the ball. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein movement of the platform includes the platform moving into a position that substantially seals the finger hole.