BOWLING BALL CLEANING GLOVE

Abstract

A bowling ball cleaning glove has a glove portion with cutouts for fingers and a cleaning pad on the palm side. The cleaning pad is a microfiber cloth that cleans the ball when the user holds it. In one embodiment, the cleaning surface is removably held in place with a hook and loop fastener that allows the user to replace a used cleaning surface with a clean one.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority and herein incorporates by reference U.S. provisional patent application 61/394,362, filed Oct. 19, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Bowling is a very old recreation. Early Roman and Greek evidence of bowling exist and there is evidence that Egyptians played the game even earlier. During the middle ages, bowling became so popular that it was outlawed for a time thinking that it was distracting the soldiers. In the United States, the game developed as a gambling game called nine-pins (the game used 9 pins) and was outlawed for this reason. An extra pin was added and the game became more popular than ever.

[0003] Balls with finger holes became the norm for indoor bowling games and now the game known as bowling always uses a ball with finger holes. When buying a bowling ball, the holes are generally customized for the user. Early bowling balls were made of wood, but later rubber and today plastics are used. Regardless of the material, all bowling balls need to be cleaned since even a small amount of dirt, dust or oil from the lane can affect the way the ball travels and thus change the game. Many players use cleaning cloths to clean their bowling ball before each use, but this is inconvenient and many players skip this. Additionally, it takes time to reach for a cleaning cloth, wipe the ball down and then put the cloth away which slows the game down.

[0004] There is a need for an easy to use, fast and convenient way to keep a bowling ball clean.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] A bowling ball cleaning glove has a glove portion with cutouts for fingers and a cleaning pad on the palm side. The cleaning pad is a microfiber cloth that cleans the ball when the user holds it. In one embodiment, the cleaning surface is removably held in place with a hook and loop fastener that allows the user to replace a used cleaning surface with a clean one.

[0006] Other features and advantages of the instant invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a palm side view of a bowling ball cleaning glove according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a knuckle side view of the bowling ball cleaning glove shown in FIG. 1.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a palm side view of a bowling ball cleaning glove according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a side view of the bowling ball cleaning glove shown in FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a side view of the bowling ball cleaning glove shown in FIG. 1 with a removable cleaning surface.

[0012] FIG. 6 is a detailed view of a portion of the bowling ball cleaning glove shown in FIG. 5.

[0013] FIG. 7 is a palm side view of a bowling ball cleaning glove according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 8 is a palm side view of a bowling ball cleaning glove according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0015] FIG. 9 is a detail view of the bowling ball cleaning glove shown in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] In the following detailed description of the invention, reference is made to the drawings in which reference numerals refer to like elements, and which are intended to show by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, a bowling ball cleaning glove 100 is shown having a glove portion 120 with a cleaning surface 110 on the palm side. Four finger holes and a thumb hole allow a person's fingers 130 to be exposed for maximum feel and touch. A plurality of openings 230 are disposed on the knuckle side of glove 100 and allow the user to flex the glove and for cooling. Cleaning surface 110 is a microfiber cloth that allows the user to clean a bowling ball (not shown) each time the ball is gripped. This allows the user to keep the ball clean without having to use a cloth.

[0018] Other materials such as cotton, flannel or other suitable material may be used as cleaning surface 110. Additionally, cleaning fluids such as alcohol or other suitable cleaning product may be applied to cleaning surface 110.

[0019] Glove portion 120 may be made of leather, plastic, cotton or other suitable material to securely hold cleaning surface 110 in place. Glove portion 120 is flexible enough to allow the user to comfortably grip the ball yet strong enough to firmly support cleaning portion 110.

[0020] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, bowling ball cleaning glove 300 is shown having glove portion 120 that supports a hook anchor pad 290. A corresponding loop portion 280 is disposed on the backside of cleaning surface 110. The embodiment allows a user to change cleaning surface 110 as needed. It also allows the user to wash cleaning surface 110 without having to wash the entire glove portion 120. Of course other methods may be used to allow a user to change cleaning surfaces such as a stack of adhesive backed cleaning surfaces, snaps or other holding means. Additionally, removable glue strips may be provided on the back of replacement cleaning surfaces 110 covered with a peel off backing that is removed by the user before applying a new cleaning surface.

[0021] Now referring to FIG. 7, a bowling ball cleaning glove 300 is shown having a smaller cleaning surface 310 attached to a glove portion 320. Different size surfaces may be provided to provide a customized feel for the user and other shapes such as strips, circles, etc. may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0022] Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, bowling ball cleaning glove 200 is shown having an adhesive mounting surface 330 which allows a user to apply a new adhesive backed cleaning cloth 340 to be mounted therein. In use, the user removes a backing 350 that protects the adhesive and then applies adhesive backed cleaning cloth 340 to adhesive mounting surface 330 on glove 120. When cloth is soiled, the user peels away the used cloth and applies a new one. Packs of adhesive backed cleaning cloths may be sold as a replacement package.

[0023] Although the instant invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A bowling ball cleaning glove comprises: a glove portion having a palm side; said glove portion being adapted to leave a portion of a user's fingers exposed; and a cleaning surface disposed on said palm side wherein a bowling ball is cleaned when said bowling ball is in contact therein.

2. A bowling ball cleaning glove comprises: a portion having a palm side; and a cleaning means for cleaning a bowling ball disposed on said palm side.

3. The bowling ball cleaning glove of claim 2 wherein said cleaning means is a microfiber cloth attached therein.

4. The bowling ball cleaning glove of claim 2 wherein said cleaning means further comprises a cleaning cloth attached to said palm side with a hook and loop fastener whereby said cleaning cloth is removable.

5. The bowling ball cleaning glove of claim 2 wherein said cleaning means further comprises a cleaning cloth attached to said palm side with a removable glue strip portion whereby said cleaning cloth is removably fixed to said palm side.

6. The bowling ball cleaning glove of claim 2 wherein said palm portion is adapted to receive an adhesive backed cleaning cloth.

7. A bowling ball cleaning glove comprises: a glove portion having a palm side; a plurality of cleaning surface pads disposed on said palm side wherein a bowling ball is cleaned when said bowling ball is in contact therein.

8. The bowling ball cleaning glove of claim 7 wherein said glove portion being adapted to leave a portion of a user's fingers exposed.

9. The bowling ball cleaning glove of claim 7 further comprising at least one cooling opening in a backside of said glove portion.

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