Bowling Balls and Methods of Forming the Same

Abstract

A bowling ball can have an inner core layer that is shaped, constructed, and/or configured to provide the bowling ball with one or more prescribed properties or characteristics, and a cover stock layer comprising a liquid curable material received about the inner core layer. The bowling ball further has a riser pin feature that is at least partially defined by a passage extending through at least the cover stock layer and in which a filler material is received. The riser pin feature can be located in an opposite hemisphere of the bowling ball from a hemisphere including the true center of gravity and a marked heavy spot of the bowling ball and can be arranged within about 1 inch of an end of the Low Radius of Gyration Axis of the bowling ball.

Claims

1. A bowling ball, comprising: a plurality of core layers, including an inner core layer, and an outer core layer at least partially received about the inner core layer, wherein the inner core layer comprises a high density material and is shaped, constructed, and/or configured to provide the bowling ball with one or more prescribed properties or characteristics; a cover stock layer comprising a liquid curable material received about the outer core layer; a riser pin feature at least partially defined by a passage extending through at least the cover stock layer and in which a filler material is received, wherein the riser pin feature is located in an opposite hemisphere of the bowling ball from a hemisphere including a true center of gravity and a marked heavy spot of the bowling ball and arranged within about 1 inch of an end of a Low Radius of Gyration Axis of the bowling ball; and at least one marking feature for locating one or more gripping holes along the cover stock layer, wherein the at least one marking feature is arranged along the hemisphere including the true center of gravity and the marked heavy spot of the bowling ball and 180 degrees opposite from the riser pin feature.

2. (canceled)

3. The bowling ball of claim 2, wherein the shapes and weights of the inner core layer, the outer core layer, and the cover stock layer create a differential radius of gyration of at least 0.025.

4. The bowling ball of claim 2, wherein the inner core layer comprises a plurality of elements arranged so as to be asymmetric about at least one axis of the inner core layer.

5. The bowling ball of claim 2, wherein the riser pin feature extends at least partially through the outer core layer.

6. The bowling ball of claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the passage of the riser pin feature is formed by a support rod for supporting the inner and outer core layers in a mold during formation of the cover stock layer about the outer core layer.

7. The bowling ball of claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the passage of the riser pin feature is formed from drilling.

8. The bowling ball of claim 1, wherein the bowling ball comprises a moment of inertia that is lower than a moment of inertia of a solid sphere of an equivalent weight.

9. A method for forming a bowling ball, comprising: supporting at least one core layer within a mold with a support, the at least one core layer comprising a high density material having a configuration and being supported at a position to provide the bowling ball with selected performance properties and/or characteristics; introducing a liquid curable material about the at least one core layer and forming a cover stock layer about the at least one core layer, wherein the support at least partially forms a passage in the cover stock layer; and receiving a filler material in the passage in the cover stock layer to form a riser pin feature that is in an opposite hemisphere from a true center of gravity and/or a marked heavy spot of the bowling ball.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one core layer comprises an inner core layer, and the method further comprises: at least partially supporting the inner core layer in at least one additional open pour mold for formation of the outer core layer with the support and/or an additional support; providing a liquid curing material to the additional open pour mold about the inner core layer to form the outer core layer wherein the support or the additional support at least partially forms a passage in the outer core layer.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: receiving a filler material in the passage of the outer core layer to at least partially define a support feature.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: forming an additional passage in the outer core layer that is opposite the support feature about the outer core layer.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: receiving the support in the additional passage in the outer core layer; and supporting the outer core layer in the open pour mold for the cover stock layer to form the cover stock layer thereabout, wherein the passage formed in the cover stock layer by the support is substantially coaxial with the additional passage.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: receiving the filler material in the additional passage to at least partially form the riser pin feature.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising: forming one or more marking features in an outer surface of the cover stock layer for locating one or more gripping holes that is 180 degrees opposite from the riser pin feature.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0024] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure, and together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments discussed herein. No attempt is made to show structural details of this disclosure in more detail than may be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the exemplary embodiments discussed herein and the various ways in which they may be practiced. According to common practice, the various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a bowling ball according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a bowling ball according to another aspect of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a bowling ball according to principles of the present disclosure, with a marking feature or other indicia on the outer surface thereof.

[0028] FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of a process/method for forming the ball according to FIG. 1.

[0029] FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of a process/method for forming the ball according to FIG. 2.

[0030] Various objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a review of the following detail description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIGS. 1-5 illustrate components of bowling balls and methods for forming bowling balls according to principles of the present disclosure. The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of embodiments of this disclosure. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that many changes can be made to the embodiments described, while still obtaining the beneficial results. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the embodiments described can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the embodiments without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the embodiments described are possible and may even be desirable in certain circumstances. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the embodiments of the present disclosure and not in limitation thereof.

[0032] FIGS. 1-2 show examples of bowling balls 10/10 constructed according to principles of the present disclosure. The bowling ball 10/10 generally will be a performance bowling ball, which includes a spherical body 12 typically will have a lower moment of inertia or Radius of Gyration (RG) than a solid sphere of the same weight. The ball 10/10 can be comprised of a plurality of layers or assemblies 14, 16, and 18. The plurality of layers generally includes an inner core layer or assembly 14, one or more optional outer core layers or assemblies 16, and a cover or cover stock layer or assembly 18 formed or applied over the inner or outer core assemblies 14/16.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the inner core layer/assembly 14 can include one or more elements or sections 20 that can be shaped, constructed, or otherwise configured to provide the bowling ball 10/10 with selected/desired properties. For example, to create a dynamic imbalance within the ball to provide various selected or desired dynamic characteristics, such as selected differential radius of gyration (RG) of about 0.025 or greater (generally determined as the difference between the maximum RG and the minimum RG, and which can be varied by changes in the shape and weight of the inner and outer core), desired weight, static balances and/or other performance or reactive characteristics, e.g., spin, trajectory, etc. The inner core assembly 14 also can be provided with a shape having prescribed aspect ratio, e.g. the core can be taller than it is wide. The inner core layer 14 further generally can be formed from a high density material, such as urethane, polyester, epoxy, or other synthetics or polymeric materials with appropriate fillers to achieve the desired density of the inner core part. The inner core layer 14 can be set or cured in one or more open pour molds, machined from appropriate billets, or formed in any other suitable manner without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0034] In some aspects, the inner core assembly 14 can comprise a plurality of sections/elements including a first section or element 22 having a generally spherical shape, and a second element or section 24 having a different shape or configuration, such as a generally cylindrical shape as shown in FIGS. 1-2, such that the inner core assembly 14 is substantially asymmetric about one or more axes of the bowling ball 10/10, e.g., a horizontal axis A1 defined through the geometric center 45 of the bowling ball 10/10. The sections 22, 24 of the inner core assembly can have any suitable shape, however, without departing from the present disclosure, e.g., spherical shapes, cylindrical shapes, circular shapes, conical shapes, cube or cuboid shapes, triangular shapes, polygonal shapes, e.g., convex and concave polygonal shapes, or regular and irregular polygonal shapes, or regular and irregular amorphous shapes and/or other suitable shapes or configurations or combinations thereof. In addition, though FIGS. 1-2 show the inner core assembly 14 to have more than one element/sections that can be formed sequentially to form a substantially unitary structure, the inner core assembly can include a single formed element, for example, having an asymmetric (e.g., a mushroom-like shape) or symmetric shape (e.g., a sphere, cylinder, etc.) or another suitable shape, construction, or configuration to provide desired/selected characteristics or properties, without departing from the present disclosure.

[0035] As further shown in FIGS. 1-5, the bowling ball 10/10 can have an outer core layer/assembly 16 formed about the inner core layer 14 so as to at least partially surround and at least partially support the inner core layer 14. The outer core layer 16 can have a cavity or void 25 in which the inner core layer/assembly 14 is received/contained, and further can have substantially spherical outer surface or face 26. The outer core layer 16 can have any suitable shape/construction, e.g., elliptical, ovoid, rectangular, or other suitable geometry, however, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The outer core layer 16 generally will be formed from a liquid curable material, such as a urethane, polyester, epoxy, or other polymeric or synthetic materials with appropriate fillers to achieve the desired density of the outer core layer. As shown in FIG. 4, the outer core material can be introduced into a mold 28 and about the inner core layer 14, with the inner core layer 14 generally being at least partially supported within the mold 28 by one or more support posts/rods 30. The support post 30 will support the inner core layer 14 at a desired position or orientation within the outer core layer 16 during molding and setting/curing of the outer core layer 16 thereabout, which position or orientation can be selected or determined so as to impart desired control characteristics of the finished ball, e.g., the static or dynamic balance and other suitable performance or reaction properties thereof.

[0036] As additionally shown in FIGS. 1-2, the cover stock layer 18 is formed about the outer surface 26 of the outer core layer 16, generally surrounding and encapsulating the outer core layer 16 of the ball 10/10. It will be understood, however, that the outer core layer/assembly 16 is an optional layer and the cover stock layer 18 can be formed directly about the inner core layer 14. The cover stock layer 18 typically will substantially seal the outer and inner core layers 14/16, and generally a substantially spherical outer surface 32 for the finished ball 10/10, as shown in FIG. 3. The cover stock layer 18 can be formed from a liquid curable material that can include polyester, urethane, epoxy, or other polymeric materials, with suitable dyes and pigments which may be reactive (e.g., contain additives for interacting with the surface of a bowling lane to provide desired performance characteristics, e.g., spin, trajectory, etc.) or non-reactive. The cover stock material will be poured, injected or otherwise introduced into a mold 28 in which the inner core layer 14 and the outer core layer 16 generally are supported such as by one or more support posts or rods 30 during pouring, curing and setting/molding of the cover stock layer (FIGS. 4-5).

[0037] The bowling ball 10/10 further will include a riser pin feature 40 generally formed/received within a hole or passage 42 formed by the support posts 30 used during the formation/casting plurality of layers of the ball. The riser pin feature 40 can include a filler material 44 at least partially received within the hole or passage 42. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the riser pin feature 40 will extend at least partially through the outer core layer 16 and through the cover stock layer 18. The filler material 44 for the riser pin feature further can include a liquid curable material, such as an epoxy or polyester, though any liquid curable material that is suitably durable or precast solid that is inserted in the hole or passage 42 can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0038] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the riser pin feature 40 will be located in the opposite hemisphere of the bowling ball 10/10 from the hemisphere containing the true center of gravity 46 and the marked heavy spot 48 of the bowling ball 10/10. For example, the riser pin feature 40 can be in a bottom hemisphere 50, while the true center of gravity 46 and marked heavy spot 48 can be in a top hemisphere 52 (as defined by axis A1 in FIGS. 1-2). This positioning of the riser pin feature 40 will be accomplished by supporting the plurality of elements/layers, e.g., inner core 14, the outer core 16, and the cover stock 18 layers, at an offset position that will be reoriented approximately 180 with respect to the Low Radius of Gyration (RG) axis of the ball, substantially opposite from the positioning of the riser pin in traditional molding processes. For example, the Low RG axis A2 generally can extend through the geometric center 45 of the ball and at least partially define a dynamic axis of the ball whereby placement of the finger or gripping holes in different patterns and/or at different distances or positions with respect to this dynamic axis provides/enables the bowler to impart different reactionary or dynamic characteristics (e.g. spin, trajectory, etc.) to the ball. As a result of repositioning/locating the riser pin in the final ball 10/10, the riser pin feature 40 is provided/located within about 1 of an end of the low RG axis A2 as required by USBC regulations, but the weakened area/spot generally created by the riser pin is moved away from the area at which the gripping holes will be formed. As a further result, the locations and patterning configurations for the gripping holes will be expanded to enable greater variation to match bowler preferences, but with the potential for cracking the ball due to drilling too close to or into the riser pin being substantially eliminated.

[0039] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the bowling ball 10 can include at least one support feature 56 positioned substantially opposite the riser pin feature 40. This support feature 56 can include a hole or passage 58 formed at least partially through one or more of the layers/element of the bowling ball 10, in which a filler material 59 is at least partially received. For example, the hole or passage 58 may be defined/formed at least partially through the outer core layer 16 and potentially into one or more elements/sections of the inner core layer of the bowling ball 10, such as due to use of a support post or rod 30 to support the outer and/or inner core assembly 16 during formation/casting thereof. Upon setting of the outer core assembly 16, this hole/passage 58 will be filled with an epoxy, or polyester material, or other suitable liquid curable filler material.

[0040] Additionally, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a second hole or passage 60 can be at least partially formed (drilled, bored, etc.) into/through one or more of the outer 16 and/or inner 14 core layers of the bowling ball 10, at a position that is about 180 opposite the hole or passage 58 for the inner and outer core layers/assembly (FIG. 5, Step 156). A secondary support post/rod 30 can be placed into this hole 60 to support the outer core assembly 16 (and potentially the inner core assembly 14), in the mold 28 during formation/casting of the cover stock layer 18. The support rod or post 30 further can form/define a hole/passage 62 in the cover stock layer 18 that is substantially coaxial with the hole/passage 60 (which passages 60 and 62 may at least partially form passage 42). This passage 62 further can be filled in or otherwise at least partially receive filler material 44 to form the riser pin feature 40, which will be located in the opposite hemisphere from the true center of gravity 46 and marked heavy spot 48, as well as the first or initial support pin 56.

[0041] As further shown in FIGS. 1-3, the bowling ball 10/10 can include one or more surface features 66 arranged along an outer surface 32 of the cover/cover stock 18. The one or more surface features 66 can include at least one marking feature 68 placed along in the ball cover stock 18 to indicate the traditional location of the riser pin for use in determining placement of the gripping/finger holes 70 (FIG. 3) along the top hemisphere 52 of the ball for achieving the desired characteristics or properties, e.g., spin, rotation, trajectory or other release characteristics of the ball 10/10. In one embodiment, the marking feature(s) 68 can include an engraving or marking on the outer surface 32 of the cover stock 18 of the ball 10/10, at a position that is directly opposite the riser pin feature 40. The marking or engraving 68 can be used for locating the drilled gripping holes 70, the manner as the traditionally received riser pin is used; however, there will be no restriction on how close the engraved mark can be relative to any of the drilled gripping holes 70 because the weakened area of the ball created by the riser pin no longer will be in the drilling area. The drilling options for placement and/or patterning of the gripping holes thus can be substantially increased so as to accommodate greater ranges of bowler specific performance characteristics, the durability of the ball can be improved, and the warranty restrictions can be relaxed for the end customer.

[0042] FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a method/process 100 for forming the bowling ball 10 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the method 100 can include supporting one or more elements or sections of the inner core layer/assembly 14 of the bowling ball 10 that was previously constructed, for example with a liquid curing material received and set within one or more molds for formation of the different elements/sections thereof the inner core assembly 14, though the inner core layer can be formed in any suitable manner, e.g., machining, milling, etc., without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0043] The method 100 further can include forming the outer core layer 16 about the inner core layer(s) 14 upon formation thereof. For example, at Step 102, the formed inner core layer 14 can be at least partially supported within a mold 28, e.g., an open pour mold 28A, for forming the outer layer 16 by a support rod or post 30. The inner core layer 14 can be supported at a position that achieves specific properties or characteristics (e.g., dynamic or performance characteristics) for the final bowling ball 10. The inner core layer/assembly 14 further can be engaged or otherwise supported by the support post/rod 30 at a location that is about 180 from where inner core layers/assemblies are supported in traditional casting/forming methods. With the inner core layer/assembly 14 at least partially supported in the mold 28A, the liquid curing material for forming the outer core layer 16 can be at least partially received within the mold 28A about the inner core layer/assembly 14. In one embodiment, the liquid curing material can be catalyzed to set within a selected time frame. Upon setting of the outer core layer 16, the formed outer core and inner core layers 14/16 can be demolded or removed from the mold 28A (Step 104). The support rod/post 30 further can be removed and generally will at least partially form or otherwise define a hole or passage 72.

[0044] As further shown in FIG. 4, after formation of the inner/outer core layers 14/16, the method 100 may include forming a cover stock layer 18 thereabout. For example, at Step 106, the formed inner/outer core layers 14/16 can be at least partially supported within a mold 28, e.g., an open pour mold 28B, for forming the cover stock layer 18, by a support rod 30. The support rod 30 can include the same or a different support rod used in casting of the outer core layer 16. The support rod 30 can be aligned with and be at least partially received within the hole/passage 72 defined/formed in the outer core layer 16. The liquid curable material for forming the cover stock layer 18 then can be received within the mold 28B, and can be allowed to set for a prescribed time period or otherwise cured for formation of the cover stock layer 18 about the inner/outer core layers 14/16. Upon formation/setting of the cover stock layer 18, the support post/rod 30 can be removed and generally will form/define a hole or passage 74 therein, which hole or passage 74 will be substantially coaxial with the hole/passage 72 in the outer core layer 16. Passages 72 and 74 may at least partially form hole/passage 42.

[0045] At Step 108, the formed cover stock 18, outer core 16, and inner core 14 layers can be removed or demolded from the mold 28B, and thereafter, the method 100 can include filling or otherwise receiving a filler material (e.g., including a liquid curable material) into the hole/passage 42 defined by the support rods 30 used during formation of the outer core 16 and cover stock 18 layers, thereby forming the riser pin feature 40 (Step 110), which will be located in the opposite hemisphere from the true center of gravity 46 and the marked heavy spot 48 of the final ball 10 (as shown in FIG. 1).

[0046] Further, one or more surface features 66, e.g., at least one marking feature 68, can be formed or otherwise defined into the outer surface 32 of the cover stock layer 18, e.g., by stamping, engraving, pressing, embossing, etc. or other suitable methods for marking a bowling ball without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0047] FIG. 5 shows a method/process 150 for forming the bowling ball 10 according to FIG. 2. The process/method 150 for forming the bowling ball 10 may include supporting one or more elements/sections of the inner core layer 14 of the bowling ball 10 that was previously constructed, for example, by cast molding a liquid curing material in one or more open pour molds.

[0048] Upon placement of the inner core layer 14, the method 150 can include forming the outer core layer 16 thereabout. At Step 152, the method 150 can include at least partially supporting the inner core layer 14 within a mold 28A for forming the outer core layer 16 with one or more support rods or posts 30. The liquid curable material for forming the outer core layer can then be received within the mold 28A and the outer core layer 16 can be allowed to set or cure. Upon setting of the outer core layer 16, the support rod/post 30 may define a hole or passage 58 at least partially through the outer core layer 16.

[0049] Further, upon formation/setting of the outer core layer 16, the inner/outer core layers 14/16 can be demolded or otherwise removed from the mold 28A (Step 154), and, at Step 156, the method 150 can include receiving a filler material 59 (e.g., a liquid curing material) in the hole/passage 58 defined by the support rod/post 30 used during formation of the outer core layer 16.

[0050] Further, at Step 156, the method 150 can include forming, e.g., drilling, boring, etc., a hole or passage 60 in the outer core layer 16. The hole or passage 60 may be formed on the opposite side of the outer core layer from the filled-in hole 58.

[0051] At Step 158, the method 150 additionally will include aligning and inserting or receiving a support rod/post 30 into the hole or passage 60 to support the outer core layer 16 in mold 28B for forming the cover stock layer 18. The formed inner and outer core assemblies 14/16 further can be rotated and positioned within the mold 28B for the cover stock layer 18. With the formed outer/inner core layers 14/16 at least partially supported within mold 28B, the liquid curing material for forming the cover stock layer 18 can be received within the mold 28B, and can be allowed to set or otherwise be cured. The support rod/post 30 received within the drilled hole/passage 60 may at least partially support the inner and outer core layers 14/16 at a desired position within the mold 28B. At Step 160, the formed cover stock 18, outer core 16, and inner core 14 layers/assemblies can be demolded or removed from the mold 28B. Upon formation/setting of the cover stock layer 18, a hole/passage 62 will be formed therein due to the presence of the support post/rod 30, which hole/passage 62 may be substantially coaxial with the drilled hole 60.

[0052] Thereafter, at Step 162, the hole/passage 62 formed by the support/post 30 and the drilled hole/passage 60 can be filled in with a filler material 44 to at least partially define the riser pin feature 40. The riser pin feature 40 will be in an opposite hemisphere (as defined by axis A1 in FIG. 2) as the support feature 56, the marked heavy spot 48, and the true center of gravity 46.

[0053] Additionally, one or more surface features 66, e.g., marking features, can be formed or otherwise defined into the outer surface 32 of the cover stock layer 18 of the ball 10, e.g., by stamping, pressing, engraving, embossing etc.

[0054] The foregoing description generally illustrates and describes various embodiments of the present disclosure. It will, however, be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the above-discussed construction of without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as disclosed herein, and that it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as being illustrative, and not to be taken in a limiting sense. Furthermore, the scope of the present disclosure shall be construed to cover various modifications, combinations, additions, alterations, etc., above and to the above-described embodiments, which shall be considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, various features and characteristics of the present disclosure as discussed herein may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments, and numerous variations, modifications, and additions further can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.