# US 5,704,843 A · Bowling accessory > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,704,843 A - Document ID: US5704843A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/655,618 - Filed: 1996-05-30 - Granted: 1998-01-06 - Earliest claimed: 1995-10-19 - Inventors: Graham K. Oosterlaak; Paul Pisecny - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5704843A ## CPC - A63B 37/0002: {Arrangements for adjusting, improving or measuring the grip, i.e. location, size, orientation or the like of finger holes} - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) ## Abstract An insert for the thumb or finger holes of a bowling ball is provided. The insert has a thumb or fingerpad of a material selected to provide good grip. The remainder of the insert is of a material selected to allow the unimpeded withdrawal of a thumb or finger from the hole when the ball is released. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A bowling accessory for a bowling ball comprising: an elongate body securable within a hole in a bowling ball, the body having a thumb opening extending longitudinally therein, the thumb opening defined by an inner surface of the body; and a thumb pad disposed at the inner surface of the body within the thumb opening defining a first thumb-contacting surface comprising a first material select to provide a predetermined degree of tactile friction; wherein the inner surface of the body further comprises a second thumb-contacting surface comprising a second material selected to provide less tactile friction than the first material. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A bowling accessory as claimed in claim 1 in which the first material and the second material are plastics materials. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A bowling accessory as claimed in claim 1 in which the first material is softer than the second material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A bowling accessory as claimed in claim 3 in which the first material has a Shore scale hardness of between 40A and 120A. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A bowling accessory as claimed in claim 4 in which the first material has a Shore scale hardness of between 60A and 80A. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A bowling accessory as claimed in claim 1 in which the first material is urethane based. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A bowling accessory as claimed in claim 1 in which the second material has a Shore scale hardness of between 50D and 90D. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A bowling accessory as claimed in claim 7 in which the second material has a Shore scale hardness of between 60D and 80D. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A bowling accessory as claimed in claim 1 in which the second material is urethane based. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A bowling accessory as claimed in claim 1 in which the body is circular in cross section. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A bowling accessory as claimed in claim 1 in which the pad extends the length of the thumb opening. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A bowling accessory as claimed in claim 1 in which the body consists of the first material and the second material. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A bowling accessory as claimed in claim 1 in which the pad extends from the inner surface of the opening to the outer surface of the body. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A bowling accessory as claimed in claim 1 in which the pad extends a portion of the length of the body. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A bowling accessory as claimed in claim 1 in which the inner surface of the body has a generally smooth finish. ### Claim 16 An elongate plug sized to fit securably within a hole in a bowling ball, the elongate plug having an outer surface and a longitudinal axis and comprising: a first portion extending from substantially the outer surface of the elongate plug toward the longitudinal axis of the elongate plug and comprising a first material selected to provide a predetermined degree of tactile friction; and a second portion comprising a second material selected to provide less than said predetermined degree of tactile friction; wherein a thumb hole can by made in the elongate plug such that the thumb hole intersects the first and second portions to provide corresponding first and second thumb-contacting surfaces. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A plug as claimed in claim 16 in which the first material is softer than the second material. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A plug as claimed in claim 17 in which the first material has a hardness on the Shore scale of between 40A and 120A. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A plug as claimed in claim 18 in which the first material has a hardness on the Shore scale of between 60A and 80A. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) A plug as claimed in claim 16 in which the first material is urethane based. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) A plug as claimed in claim 18 in which the second material has a hardness on the Shore scale of between 50D and 90D. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) A plug as claimed in claim 21 in which the second material has a hardness on the Shore scale of between 60D and 80D. ### Claim 23 (depends on 16) A plug as claimed in claim 16 in which the second material is urethane based. ### Claim 24 (depends on 16) A plug as claimed in claim 16 in the form of a right circular cylinder. ### Claim 25 A hole therein and comprising: an elongate body secured within the hole, the body having a thumb opening extending longitudinally therein, the thumb opening defined by an inner surface of the body; and a thumb pad disposed at the inner surface of the body within the thumb opening and defining a first thumb-contacting surface comprising a first material selected to provide a predetermined degree of tactile friction, and wherein the inner surface of the body comprises a second thumb-contacting surface comprising a second material selected to provide less than the predetermined degree of friction.