U.S. patent number 3,689,165 [Application Number 05/055,357] was granted by the patent office on 1972-09-05 for template controlled bowling ball drilling machine.
Invention is credited to Edward E. Small, 8862 Mays Ave..
United States Patent |
3,689,165 |
|
September 5, 1972 |
TEMPLATE CONTROLLED BOWLING BALL DRILLING MACHINE
Abstract
A finger hole in a bowling ball is contour-drilled by mounting a
bowling ball on a carriage and moving the carriage along rails
toward the drill which has a larger cutting head than shank. After
the first portion of the bore is completed, carriage motion causes
it to engage a template which moves it on a second path to further
drill the hole in another direction. The drill can be angularly
positioned to provide shank clearance and can be positioned so that
the drilling is other than radial of the ball.
Inventors: |
Edward E. Small, 8862 Mays Ave.
(Garden Grove, CA 92641) |
Family
ID: |
21997296 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/055,357 |
Filed: |
July 16, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
408/3; 408/109;
408/DIG.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B23B
47/28 (20130101); B23B 39/14 (20130101); Y10S
408/01 (20130101); Y10T 408/5638 (20150115); Y10T
408/08 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
B23B
47/00 (20060101); B23B 39/14 (20060101); B23B
47/28 (20060101); B23B 39/00 (20060101); B23b
041/00 (); B23b 049/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;408/1,39,109 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Francis S. Husar
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Allen A. Dicke, Jr.
Claims
I claim:
1. A machining device for boring contoured thumb and finger holes
in bowling balls comprising: a stationary drill holding unit; a
ball holding means for holding a bowling ball, means mounting said
ball-holding means for traversing said ball-holding means with
respect to said drill-holding unit along a linear path toward said
drill-holding means, said drill-holding unit being lockable with
respect to said path; means for reciprocal propulsion of said
ball-holding means along said path; means for lateral transverse
adjustment of said ball-holding means with respect to said path; a
template positioned to be engaged by said ball-holding means as it
moves along its path at a predetermined location to divert the said
ball-holding means from said linear path to drill a hole which has
a portion parallel to said path and a portion non-parallel to said
path.
2. The machining device defined in claim 1 wherein said means for
propulsion of said ball-holding means has sufficient stroke that it
is capable of sufficient movement for producing a straight
cylindrical bore from the outside surface of the ball for a
distance corresponding to the inner phalanx of the thumb ad then
sufficient additional movement for producing a bore extending in a
direction non-parallel to said path for a distance corresponding to
the length of the outer phalanx of the thumb.
3. The machining device defined in claim 1 wherein said template is
formed so that said mounting means for said ball-holding means
moves said ball-holding means with respect to said stationary
drill-holding unit so that, during motion of said ball-holding
means on said linear path, a hole is drilled from the outer surface
of a bowling ball parallel to said path and said template is formed
so that, after the parallel hole is bored to a predetermined depth,
the ball is diverted from said path so that the direction of the
hole beyond the predetermined distance is non-parallel to said
path.
4. The machine device of claim 3 wherein the non-parallel bore in
the bowling ball is straight.
5. The machining device of claim 3 wherein the non-parallel bore in
the ball is curved.
6. A machining device for boring hole grips into bowling balls
comprising: first mounting means for carrying a first portion of
said machining device thereon; second mounting means for carrying a
second portion of said machining device thereon; one of said
portions of said machining device comprising drilling means for
carrying a drill for rotation on a drill axis and the other portion
of said machining device comprises bowling ball-mounting means for
the mounting of a bowling ball thereon to be bored; guide means for
guiding relative motion between said first and second mounting
means, said guide means comprising a base on which said first
mounting means is reciprocably mounted for guiding said first
mounting means along a path, said path being non-parallel to said
axis of said drilling means; template means on said base for
engagement by said first mounting means after said first mounting
means has moved a predetermined distance along said path to move
said first mounting means on a path away from said path so that a
hole bored in a bowling ball mounted on said bowling ball-mounting
means has a portion parallel to said path and a portion
non-parallel to said path.
7. A bowling ball finger hole boring machine comprising: a base, a
track on said base; a carriage movably mounted on said track on
said base for movement along a first path with respect to said
base; bowling ball-mounting means on said carriage for mounting a
bowling ball on said carriage; a template mounted on said base for
engagement by said carriage, said template being positioned so
that, after said carriage moves a predetermined distance along said
path, at least part of said carriage is deflected by said template
to move in a direction other than along said path so that a bowling
ball mounted in said bowling ball-mounting means has a portion
which moves along said path to a predetermined position and then
moves away from said path in a direction controlled by said
template; a drill head mounted on said base for carrying a drill
having a cutter head and a shank of smaller diameter than its
cutter head and rotating the drill about an axis so that the cutter
head bores a hole in the bowling ball in accordance with carriage
motion along said path and as deflected by said template.
8. The bowling ball-drilling machine of claim 7 wherein said axis
of said drill head is positioned at an angle with respect to said
path.
Description
The present invention relates to a machine capable of boring
straight and/or contoured holes in one continuous motion,
particularly referring to the thumb and finger grips in bowling
balls conforming in contour to one and/or two adjacent
phalanges.
As is generally known, the thumb and finger grips in a bowling ball
are of the utmost importance, if one is to maintain a firm hold on
the ball during the approach and delivery of same. It is during
this approach, when the ball is at the lowest point of the swing or
arc, that the ball exerts its strongest force. At this point, the
bowlers forward momentum and the weight of the ball tend to wrest
the bowling ball from ones hand. Any slippage or undue force
exerted by the bowler here, may very well interfere or disrupt the
smooth and coordinated follow-through necessary to execute the
second most crucial point of the delivery; namely the precise
moment when the bowler releases his grip. Smooth delivery is
necessary to send the ball on a most consistent path to itsdesired
target. It can be readily understood that a bowling ball which is
properly fitted to an individual's particular needs or
specifications is one that would utilize a maximum grip with a
minimum of effort. Such would be of considerable benefit to a
bowler, especially to bowlers with weak hands, such as women and
teen-agers.
In order to more fully understand the present invention, it can be
stated in essentially summary form that it is directed to a
template-controlled bowling ball drilling machine wherein the drill
and bowling ball are moved relatively to each other along a first
path and then along a second, template-controlled path so that the
bowling ball is drilled with a finger bore having two significantly
different portions thereof. The first drilled portion extending
into the ball from its surface is preferably linear, but may be
non-radial of the ball, while the second drilled portion farther in
the ball is preferably curved.
Thus, it is an object of this invention to provide a machine that
can simply, quickly, and accurately bore a variety of straight,
angular, arcuate, or elliptical holes in bowling balls which will
very nearly conform to the shape and size of the hand and to the
breadth, length and contour of the fingers.
It is another object of this invention to provide a machine that
will bore predetermined sizes and lengths of straight, arcuate, or
angular holes to specifications requested.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a machine
that will bore thumb and finger hole grips in bowling balls in such
a manner as to eliminate or at least minimize the possibility of a
bowling ball slipping or dropping out of a bowler's hand during the
approach and delivery of the bowling ball.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a machine which
will duplicate a given bore from information and data supplied.
Another object of this invention is to provide a machine capable of
boring a straight or contoured grip in bowling balls wherein the
thumb hole is elongated laterally to conform to the oval outline of
the thumb.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of all the component parts
relating to the function of the machine, showing a bowling ball in
which a finger hole has already been bored with a straight and
curved configuration and in which the thumb hole has similarly been
bored and the special drill is now being retracted.
FIG. 2 is a side view right, of the drill holding boring mechanism
with its relative components.
FIG. 3 is a left side elevational view of the traversing work
holding mechanism showing the most critical movable portions of the
assembly.
FIGS 4A through 4F are schematic side views of various template
shapes, and showing the corresponding shapes of drilled holes in
the bowling balls resulting therefrom.
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a bowling ball showing the lateral and
angular offsets possible utilizing the lateral adjustment of the
ball holding fixture and the vertical adjustment of the drill
holding unit of the bowling ball drilling machine of this
invention.
FIG. 6 is a side view of a bowling ball showing the radial or pitch
angles possible by utilizing the vertical adjustment of the drill
holding fixture.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIGS. 1 and 2 show the vertical adjustment plate 1, which is
mounted to angle plate 2, and is integrated into the assembly by
solid base 35. The electric motor 3, supplies the power to drill
holding chuck 6 through V-belt 11. Swivel pin 5, in conjunction
with circular slots 8 and 8A, bolts 8A, permits the setting of
drill holding chuck 6 at whatever angle is necessary when boring a
straight and concave configuration. In such boring, the drill shank
7 must clear the upper outermost portion of straight bore 16 and
also clear the lower intersecting point 17, when the drill head 7A
is at its deepest point. The angular setting provides these
clearances.
Elongated vertical slots 9 with locking bolts 10, restrain the
vertical adjustment plate after using the adjusting screw 4. This
adjustment permits the alignment of drill head 7A to the vertical
center of bowling ball 15, or at any desired position above or
below the horizontal center of the bowling ball. Adjusting screw
12, places the templates 13 at a predetermined position relative to
the length desired for straight bore 16, after which the ball
holding fixture on carriage 28 commences to rise upward on the
templates. This motion causes a relative downward action of the
drill head 7A with a resultant elliptical concave arc 18. Drill
head 7A is a general grade of tungsten carbide, brazed into a rigid
hardened steel shank. Different drills 7 with their heads 7A ground
in progressive diametrical increments, provide the sizes needed to
fit any individual requirements.
The traversing movable portion shown in FIG. 1 consists of a rigid
plate 28 which forms a carriage, to which are solidly attached four
roller bearings 30, one at each corner, enabling said plate to
traverse freely on solid base 35.
Resting on plate 28 is the lateral adjustment carriage 29, which is
held down and nested to carriage 28 by two angular gibs 20 and 21.
An angular circumferential cavity 29A is incorporated into plate
29, which conforms to the lower diameter of a bowling ball for the
purpose of seating same. Toggle clamp 14 and post 22, which is
bolted to plate 29, hold the bowling ball firmly in place during a
boring operation. Adjustment screw 27 permits for very accurate
settings for any positioning required for lateral location. This
adjustment provides the necessary movement of plate 29 to either
left or right, which enables one to perform a variety of lateral
offsets contingent upon the requests of the using party. The result
of this function is defined in FIG. 5. Linear movement of the
carriage or ball holding fixture 28 is accomplished by the use of a
simple external acme thread bolt 31, incorporated with an
internally threaded swiveling bushing 32, which is mounted to solid
base 35, by post 32A. Powered feed for the ball holding fixture is
optional. Tension springs 34, exert pressure downward on carriage
28 by means of rollers 36 located at the underside of the top
flange of solid base 35. This tension provides the stabilizing
action needed to keep the traversing fixture 28 from wandering
during a boring operation.
Relocating the two front forks 23, with bearings 30, to a position
rearward at slot 24 will decrease or make for a less sharp rise,
commencing at intersecting point 17, resulting in a more elliptical
or less circular form at bore 18, or relocating the two rear forks
26 to a position forward at slot 25 will increase or make for a
much sharper rise commencing at intersecting point 17 resulting in
a less elliptical or more circular form at bore 18. This function
only being brought forth by way of showing the added versatility of
the machine.
FIG. 2 is a side view right, with drill holding chuck 6 positioned
in a horizontal plane. The electric motor 3 is connected to drill
holding chuck 6 by V-belt 11. This figure shows the details of the
vertical adjustment plate 1.
FIG. 3 is a side view left showing the details of the arrangement
of the lateral adjustment screw 27, the roller bearings 30 of the
carriage 28 seated on solid base 35. The tension springs 35 with
roller bearings 36 are shown in relation to the underside portion
of the upper flange of solid base 35. This figure also shows gib 20
and lateral adjustment plate 29.
FIGS. 4A through 4F are comprehensive side views of six basic
designs of templates or risers when the templates are used in sets
of two, one at each side, setting on top of solid base 35, and
linearly aligned with roller bearings 30, they constitute the means
of diverting traversing carriage 28 upward. This results in
relative downward travel of drill head 7A with respect to the ball
with the resultant configurations designed herewith. Referring to
FIG. 4A, all four bearings riding on solid base 35, the inward path
of traversing carriage 28 will bore the predetermined breadth and
length of straight axial bore 39 in a continuous motion. Upon
reaching contact with template 13, the two front bearings 30
proceed upwards at a desired angle while the two rear bearings
continue at a horizontal. The combination of non-conforming paths
develop into a non co-axial angle 40 and result in a concave
elliptical arc 41 coincident with desired angle 38. Referring to
FIG. 4B, templates 41A are used in tandem so that all four bearings
30 are diverted upward simultaneously. This would result in first
the straight axial bore 43 and then a straight non co-axial angle
44 and bore 45, which would be an exact duplicate of template angle
42. As indicated successively in FIGS. 4c through 4F, templates 46
at the desired placement would bore a straight radial hole and
develop into a non co-axial elliptical arc 47, templates 48 would
bore a straight radial hole and then develop into an arcuate form
which would be a duplicate of arc 49. Templates 51 would also bore
a straight axial hole and continue on into a non co-axial convex
elliptical bore 52. Templates 53 would bore a straight axial hole
and continue on into concave form 55 which would be a duplicate of
arc 54. All configurations in FIGS. 4A through 4F show a thumb hole
in a bowling ball with all angles and arcuate forms in various
shapes and angles for opposing finger holes in the ball shaped in
the same manner.
FIG. 5 now shows a top view of a bowling ball with middle finger
hole 57 and ring finger hole 58 bored parallel to a central plane.
These holes are offset the desired distance to the left of the
vertical center line 56. This arrangement is commonly referred to
as an offset grip. The thumb hole 59 is bored in a relatively true
course to the horizontal center of the bowling ball, but at an
angle right of the vertical center 56. This type bore is referred
to as right pitch.
FIG. 6 shows a side elevational view of a different bowling ball
wherein the straight axial bore 60 is directed at the actual center
of the ball 62, and the non co-axial portion 61 is contoured to
accommodate the outer phalanx of the bowler's bowler's The finger
hole 63 is bored so that it starts in a theoretical line to center
then has an elliptical bore convex to the thumb, but concave to the
outer phalange of the finger. This configuration is called a
contour finger tip grip.
Although, the invention has been described and illustrated in
detail in its preferred embodiment it is done by way of example
only.
* * * * *