Wrist rotation controller for bowlers

Abstract

A device and method for restricting or enhancing wrist rotation uses an armband with an outer surface with loop or hook fasteners. An elongated flexible non-stretchable device wraps outwardly around the forearm when in use to prevent over-rotation of the wrist or wraps inwardly around the forearm when in use to prevent under-rotation of the wrist. The elongated device has an upper end portion, a lower end portion, and an inner surface with hook or loop fasteners. The elongated device can be removably and adjustably attached to the armband, and has a first connecting device affixed to the lower end portion. A gauntlet has a second connecting device affixed at the dorsal side of the thumb that is compatible with the first connecting device. The gauntlet may be constructed from material stretchable in a transverse direction of the hand but not stretchable in a longitudinal direction of the hand.

Description

BACKGROUNDField of Invention[0001]Embodiments of the present invention described herein generally relate to a method and apparatus for improving control and accuracy in bowling, and more specifically to restricting or enhancing wrist rotation during the release of a bowling ball.Related Art[0002]The present invention relates to sports equipment, and more specifically to a wrist rotation controller for bowlers that functions by restricting or enhancing wrist rotation during release of the bowling ball. The angular position of a bowler's hand relative to the longitudinal axis of the bowler's forearm, as controlled largely by the rotation of the bowler's wrist, is critical to achieving the desired trajectory, rotation, and axis of rotation of the bowling ball upon release. In order to achieve good scores, therefore, the bowler must learn to maintain consistent position of his or her wrist during release of the ball. Unintentional over-rotation or under-rotation of the bowler's wrist du...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a device for controlling the rotation of a bowler's wrist during bowling. The device consists of an adjustable elastic flexible multiple layer armband and a rigid rectangular two slot buckle which prevents the armband from twisting. The armband is designed to distribute tension over a larger surface area of the thumb and first finger, preventing it from bunching up and sinking into the flesh of the thumb. The device is ambidextrous and can be easily reconfigured from restricting wrist rotation to enhancing it. The device allows for sufficient articulation for the use of either a fingertip bowling ball or a conventional bowling ball, without interfering with finger penetration into the bowling ball holes.

Problems solved by technology

Unintentional over-rotation or under-rotation of the bowler's wrist during release of the ball can result in erratic ball movement, causing the bowling ball to deviate from its intended path.

More specifically, over-rotation often results when the bowler's wrist rotates so that the thumb is no longer near the uppermost position just prior to release.

This over-rotation, also called “topping the ball,” causes the bowling ball to transition to a horizontal reverse spin instead of the desired forward and sideways spin, thereby sapping energy and leading to the aforementioned erratic ball movement.

However, the use of a fingertip ball further exacerbates over-rotation in a bowler who is inexperienced or prone to the over-rotation problem.

Occasionally, the opposite problem is encountered, wherein due to habit or physiology, the bowler under-rotates the ball, which also leads to lack of desired hook and poor trajectory control of the ball.

However, the wrist rotation controller disclosed in the '502 patent has been found to possess several unexpected yet key deficiencies.

Specifically, continued articulation of the thumb carpometacarpal joint and the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint allows the thumb metacarpal and / or the thumb proximal phalanx to rotate and / or translate about the thumb loop, resulting in insufficient restraint of over-rotation or under-rotation of the wrist.

Furthermore, the strap material of the thumb loop tends to absorb sweat and fold upon itself or “bunch-up.” This results in decreased distribution of pressure over the flesh of the thumb, not only causing discomfort, but also further allowing rotation of the wrist as the thumb loop sinks into the flesh and muscles of the thumb.

Additionally, once in place on a bowler's arm, the wrist rotation controller disclosed in the '502 patent is difficult to remove without detaching the flexible and non-stretchable elongated strap from the adjustable band affixed to the bowler's forearm.

Repeated detachment and reattachment of the flexible and non-stretchable elongated strap from the adjustable band can cause inconsistent placement of the flexible and non-stretchable elongated strap, which can inhibit the bowler's training and performance.

This resulted in a tendency for the adjustable band of the '502 patent to twist within the buckle, pulling the buckle out of alignment, and possibly allowing the adjustable band to loosen and rotate, with detrimental effects to the effectiveness of the '502 patent arrangement.

This required the armband of the '502 patent to have a small area of hook fasteners attached to its outer surface, in order to attach the strap, thereby limiting its attachment location.

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