Bowling ball

Abstract

A bowling ball wherein the weights of the inner core and the encapsulating mass are varied through the use of materials of preselected densities, for the purpose of manufacturing balls having a low moment of inertia. The instant invention accomplishes this by featuring an inner core having a minimum specific gravity of 0.1063 per pound of ball weight, and a construction wherein the volume ratio of the inner core to that of the encapsulating mass, in conjunction with the specific gravity ratio of the inner core to that of the encapsulating mass, yields a .[.maximum.]. .Iadd.low .Iaddend.moment of inertia .[.(about the ball's vertical axis) of 0.318 in-ozs-sec 2 per pound of ball weight.].. As the moment of inertia of a fixed weight ball is decreased, the translational kinetic energy increases and the rotational kinetic energy decreases. However, since the translational kinetic energy increases at a greater rate than the rate at which the rotational kinetic energy decreases, the resulting effect is an increase in total kinetic energy output. An additional increase in total kinetic energy output is obtained through use of a high density top weight mass concentrated closely around the ball's inner core.[., with its lower surface positioned at the midplane of the ball.]..

Having thusly described the invention, the following is claimed: .[. 
     
       1.  A bowling ball, comprising: a) an inner core having a minimum specific gravity of 0.1063 per pound of ball weight, for balls ranging in weight from 8 to 16 pounds;   b) a molded encapsulating mass surrounding said inner core, wherein its specific gravity ranges downward to a minimum value of 0.38 for a specific fixed weight ball, to effectuate a decrease in ball moment of inertia;   c) the specific gravity of said inner core being greater than that of said encapsulating mass;   d) said ball moment of inertia decreases with an increase in inner core density, to effectuate a maximum moment of inertia about the ball's vertical axis of 0.318 in-ozs-sec 2  per pound of ball weight, for the purpose of obtaining an increase in the total kinetic energy output of said ball..]. .[.2. The bowling ball defined in claim 1, wherein said molded encapsulating mass is further characterized as a cover..]. .[.3. The bowling ball defined in claim 2, further characterized as including   
     
     
        top weight mass..]. .[.4.  The bowling ball defined in claim 3, wherein said top weight mass is further characterized as being integral to said inner core..]. .[.5. The bowling ball defined in claim 4, wherein said top weight mass is further characterized as being annular in shape..]. .[.6. The bowling ball defined in claim 5, wherein said inner core is further characterized as (spherical in shape) having a minimum volume of 14.137 cubic inches..]. .[.7. The bowling ball defined in claim 1, wherein said inner core minimum specific gravity per pound of ball weight, is further characterized as being increased by the amount of 0.0187, to a value of 0.1250..]. .[.8. The bowling ball defined in claim 1, wherein said inner core minimum specific gravity per pound of ball weight, is further characterized as being increased by the amount of 0.03745, to a value of 0.14375..]. .[.9. The bowling ball defined in claim 1, wherein said inner core minimum specific gravity per pound of ball weight, is further characterized as being increased by the amount of 0.0562, to a value of 0.1625..]. .[.10. The bowling ball defined in claim 1, wherein said inner core minimum specific gravity per pound of ball weight, is further characterized as being increased by the amount of 0.0812, to a value of 
     
     
        0.1875..]. .[.11.  The bowling ball defined in claim 1, wherein said inner core minimum specific gravity per pound of ball weight, is further characterized as being increased by the amount of 0.1062, to a value of 0.2125..]. .[.12. A bowling ball, comprising: a) an inner core having a minimum specific gravity of 0.1063 per pound of ball weight, for balls ranging in weight from 8 to 16 pounds;   b) a molded outer core surrounding said inner core, wherein its specific gravity (can range) ranges downward to a minimum value of 0.38 for a specific fixed weight ball, to effectuate a decrease in ball moment of inertia;   c) (a top weight mass disposed within said ball;) the specific gravity of said inner core being greater than that of said outer core;   d) and a cover encapsulating said outer core;   e) said specific gravity values of said inner core, outer core, and cover, being selected (such as) to effectuate an increase in total kinetic energy output of said ball..]. .[.13. The bowling ball defined in claim 12, further characterized as including top weight mass..]. .[.14. The bowling ball defined in claim 13, wherein said top weight mass is further   
     
     
        characterized as being integral to said inner core..]. .[.15.  The bowling ball defined in claim 14, wherein said top weight mass is further characterized as being annular in shape..]. .[.16. The bowling ball defined in claim 15, wherein said inner core is further characterized as spherical in shape..]. .[.17. A bowling ball having (a top) weight mass positioned (such as) to effectuate a decrease in ball moment of inertia, comprising: a) an inner core having a minimum specific gravity of 0.1063 per pound of ball weight, for balls ranging in weight from 8 to 16 pounds;   b) an annular shaped (top) weight mass located closely around said inner core;   c) and a molded encapsulating mass surrounding said inner core and said annular shape (top) weight mass..]. .[.18. The bowling ball defined in claim 17, wherein said molded encapsulating mass is further characterized as a cover..]. .[.19. The bowling ball defined in claim 18, wherein said annular shaped weight mass is further characterized as having its lower surface located at the midplane of the ball..]. .[.20. The bowling ball defined in claim 19, wherein said inner core is further characterized as being spherical in shape..]. .[.21. The bowling ball defined in claim 17, wherein said molded encapsulating mass is further characterized as   
     
     
        comprising an outer core and a cover..]. .[.22.  The bowling ball defined in claim 21, wherein said annular shaped weight mass is further characterized as having its lower surface located at the midplane of the ball..]. .[.23. The bowling ball defined in claim 22, wherein said inner core is further characterized as being spherical in shape..]. .Iadd.24. A bowling ball, comprising: a) an inner core having a minimum specific gravity of 0.1625 per pound of ball weight, for balls ranging in weight from 8 to 16 pounds;   b) a molded encapsulating mass surrounding said inner core, wherein material adjacent to said inner core is further characterized as having a specific gravity ranging from 1.195 to 0.38 for a specific fixed weight ball within said ball weight range, to effectuate a decrease in ball moment of inertia;   c) said ball having a maximum circumference of 27.002 inches, a minimum circumference of 26.704 inches, and a minimum ball surface Durometer hardness of 72 Shore D;   d) said ball moment of inertia, of said fixed weight ball, decreases with an increase in inner core density, to effectuate an increase in the total kinetic energy output of said fixed weight ball..Iaddend. .Iadd.25. The bowling ball defined in claim 24, wherein said molded encapsulating mass   
     
     
        is further characterized as a cover..Iaddend. .Iadd.26.  The bowling ball defined in claim 25, further characterized as including top weight mass..Iaddend. .Iadd.27. The bowling ball defined in claim 26, wherein said top weight mass is further characterized as being a part of said inner core..Iaddend. .Iadd.28. The bowling ball defined in claim 24, wherein said molded encapsulating mass is further characterized as comprising an outer core and a cover..Iaddend. .Iadd.29. The bowling ball defined in claim 28, further characterized as including top weight mass..Iaddend. .Iadd.30. The bowling ball defined in claim 29, wherein said top weight mass is further characterized as being a part of said inner core..Iaddend. .Iadd.31. The bowling ball defined in claim 24, wherein the upper specific gravity limitation of said material adjacent to said inner core, is further characterized as being reduced by the amount of 0.100 to a value of 1.095..Iaddend. .Iadd.32. A bowling ball, comprising: 
     
     
       a) an inner core having a minimum specific gravity of 0.1063 per pound of ball weight, for balls ranging in weight from 8 to 16 pounds; b) a molded encapsulating mass surrounding said inner core, wherein material adjacent to said inner core is further characterized as having a specific gravity ranging from 1.195 to 0.38 for a specific fixed weight ball within said ball weight range, to effectuate a decrease in ball moment of inertia;   c) the specific gravity of said inner core being greater than that of said material adjacent to said inner core;   d) said ball having a maximum circumference of 27.002 inches, a minimum circumference of 26.704 inches, and a minimum ball surface Durometer hardness of 72 Shore D;   e) said specific gravity values of said inner core, and said encapsulating mass, being selected to effectuate an increase in total kinetic energy output of said fixed weight ball..Iaddend. .Iadd.33. The bowling ball defined in claim 32, wherein said molded encapsulating mass is further characterized as a cover..Iaddend. .Iadd.34. The bowling ball defined in claim 33, further characterized as including top weight mass..Iaddend. .Iadd.35. The bowling ball defined in claim 34, wherein said top weight mass is further characterized as being a part of said inner core..Iaddend. .Iadd.36. The bowling ball defined in claim 32, wherein said molded encapsulating mass is further characterized as comprising an outer core and a cover..Iaddend. .Iadd.37. The bowling ball defined in claim 36, further characterized as including top weight mass..Iaddend. .Iadd.38. The bowling ball defined in claim 37, wherein said top weight mass is further characterized as being a part of said inner core..Iaddend. .Iadd.39. The bowling ball defined in claim 32, wherein the upper specific gravity limitation of said material adjacent to said inner core, is further characterized as being reduced by the amount of 0.100 to a value of 1.095..Iaddend. .Iadd.40. The bowling ball defined in claim 32, wherein said inner core minimum specific gravity per pound of ball weight, is further characterized as being increased by the amount of 0.0187, to a value of 0.1250..Iaddend. .Iadd.41. The bowling ball defined in claim 32, wherein said inner core minimum specific gravity per pound of ball weight, is further characterized as being increased by the amount of 0.03745, to a value of 0.14375..Iaddend. .Iadd.42. The bowling ball defined in claim 32, wherein said inner core minimum specific gravity per pound of ball weight, is further characterized as being increased by the amount of 0.0562, to a value of 0.1625..Iaddend. .Iadd.43. The bowling ball defined in claim 32, wherein said inner core minimum specific gravity per pound of ball weight, is further characterized as being increased by the amount of 0.0812, to a value of 0.1875..Iaddend. .Iadd.44. The bowling ball defined in claim 32, wherein said inner core minimum specific gravity per pound of ball weight, is further characterized as being increased by the amount of 0.1062, to a value of 0.2125..Iaddend. .Iadd.45. A bowlinct ball having weight mass positioned to effectuate a decrease in ball moment of inertia, comprising:   
     
     
       a) an inner core having a minimum specific gravity of 0.1063 per pound of ball weight, for balls ranging in weight from 8 to 16 pounds; b) an annular shaped weight mass located closely around said inner core;   c) and a molded encapsulating mass surrounding said inner core and said annular shaped weight mass. .Iadd.46. The bowling ball defined in claim 45, wherein said molded encapsulating mass is further characterized as a cover..Iaddend. .Iadd.47. The bowling ball defined in claim 46, wherein said annular shaped weight mass is further characterized as being a part of said inner core..Iaddend. .Iadd.48. The bowling ball defined in claim 47, wherein said inner core is further characterized as being spherical in shape..Iaddend. .Iadd.49. The bowling ball defined in claim 45, wherein said molded encapsulating mass is further characterized as comprising an outer core and cover..Iaddend. .Iadd.50. The bowling ball defined in claim 49, wherein said annular shaved weight mass is further characterized as   
     
     
        being a part of said inner core..Iaddend. .Iadd.51.  The bowling ball defined in claim 50, wherein said inner core is further characterized as being spherical in shape..Iaddend.