US2652252A - Automatic scoring apparatus for bowling games - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 15, 1953 D. s. ALEXANDER AUTOMATIC SCORING APPARATUS FOR BOWLING GAMES 8 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 20,

m 9 6 7 6 r 4 a Z 1 S p 1953 D. s. ALEXANDER 52 AUTOMATIC SCORING APPARATUS FOR BOWLING GAMES Filed March 20, 1947 s Sheets-Sheet 2 llllll/IIIIIIIIIIIIIlI/IIIIII P 1953 D. s. ALEXANDER 4 2,652,252

AUTOMATIC SCORING APPARATUS FOR BOWLING GAMES Filed March 20, 1947 W @M I;

8 Sheets-Sheet 3 D. S. ALEXANDER Sept. 15, 1953 AUTOMATIC SCORING APPARATUS FOR BOWLING GAMES 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 20, 1947 D. s. ALEXANDER 2,652,252

BOWLING GAMES Sept. 15, 1953 AUTOMATIC SCORING APPARATUS FOR 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March 20, 1947 IMIF HIWW lllllllllll II.L

Sept. 15, 1953 D. s. ALEXANDER AUTOMATIC SCORING APPARATUS FOR BOWLING GAMES 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed March 20, 1947 Sept. 15, 1953 D. s. ALEXANDER AUTOMATIC SCORING APPARATUS FOR BOWLING GAMES Filed March 20, 1947 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented Sept. 15, 1953 OFFICE AUTOMATIC SCORING APPARATUS FOR BOWLING GAMES Delbert S. Alexander, Evanston, Ill.

Application March 20, 1947, Serial N 0.

19 Claims. (Cl. 273-38) a full size alley.

third dimension to the spacmg between the illuminated pin openings, so that and that they are situated on their conventional pin spots on the surface of the alley.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a bowling game in which the player is required to exercise a high degree of skill in aiming the bowling ball, almost as much as the aimplaying on a standard bowling alley.

Another object is to provide such a bowling game with ball delivery means which has the feel of a real regulation size bowling ball. The physical ball which is actually projected at the simulated bowling pins is of relatively small size, comparable to the size of this small bowling game, but this small ball is aimed and projected by a large ball simulating member of approximately the same spherical radius and having substantially the same arrangement of finger holes as a regulation'bowling ball. This ball simulat member is mounted at the delivery end of the the case is advantageous in coin controlled games adapted to be played by the general public, because this small ball then rerolls the small bowling ball.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bowling game having automatic scoring mechball has been bowled.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bowling game having improved automatic infor coin control,

positing another coin.

such embodiment being intended for use in public places, such as depots, taverns, amusement centers, and the like; or the game can be constructed as a home embodiment in which there is no coin control. Both embodiments will be hereinafter described in the appended detailed description.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bowling game of the coin controlled type in which a free-play is awarded to a player if he attains a certain score in That is to say, if he attains this predetermined score in the bowling of a game, he is rewarded by the ability to bowl another game without de may or may not be embodied in the coin controlled games, as desired. Y Other objects, features and advantages of this invention will appear from the following detailed description of certain preferred embodiments thereof." In the'accompanying drawings illustrating such embodiments:

' Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view of my improved bowling game, with a transverse portion broken away in the middle'to' shorten the figure;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional perspective view ofthelrear end of the game showing the inclined panel which bears the simulated pins;

Figure 3115?, transverse sectional view through the upper portion of the housing of the game, looking rearwardly toward the simulated pin panel;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view throu'ghthe game; showing the ball projecting means, the ballreturnchute, etc.;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional'view giving a side view of these same parts;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the ball projecting means on a larger scale;

Figure 7 illustrates the trunnioned mounting frame which enables the ball simulating'member to have horizontal and vertical pivotal movement;

Figure 8 is a detail sectional view in plan showing the ball projecting means;

Figure 9 is a'vertical sectional view on a larger scale'of the 'rear' end of the alley showing the arrangementof the inclined pin simulating panel, the'verticalindicating'panel and the target plates and theircontactsfetcg Figure 10 is a fragmentary front elevational view of "the series of target plates, showing in full lines and in dotted lines several of the many possible positions of the bowling ball for striking the target plates;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary detail view showing how the bowling ballactuates the target plates from their normal positions'to their latched positions and thereby actuates the controlling switches;

Figure 12 is a digram showing the fore and aft alignment or transversely spaced relationship between the target plates and the simulated bowling"pins',"this' view 'also'showing a simplified embodiment of the pin lighting circuits, which simplified embodiment may be incorporated in a home embodiment of the game not provided with automatic scoringapparatus.

Figure 13 is a chart showing typical scoring plays when the bowling ballstrikes different pins and different combinations of pins;

Figurell is a chart showing the scoring procedure in connection with certain typical' plays carried through t e ten frames ofa bowling the bowling of any one game.

This free play feature an add and subtract rotary switch, which is used in a plurality of places in my improved system;

- preferably given a slight uphill and Figures 19A, 19B, 19C and 19D are related partsof a complete circuit diagram, wherein Figures lihfi and 19B are end to end horizontally, 19D are likewise adapted to be joined end to end horizontally, and with Figure 19C also joining vertically with the bottom of Figure 19A, and Figure 19D joining vertically with the bottom of FigurelQB;

Referring first to Figures 1 to 9, inclusive, showing one preferred construction of housing for the game, this housing or case, designated 30 in its entirety is about two feetwide and anywhere from fiveto eight feet long, constructed in proportion to simulate an actual'bowling al ley. These are the approximate proportions of a portable unit which can be movedjinto and out of a store, tavern, depot, or other place of amusement, but itwill be. understood that the same fundamental features of the game can be embodied in larger built-in installations of inter mediate size, or even actual standard bowling alley size. In the portable'unit' size shown'in Figures 1, 2, 3; 4', 5, etc. the housing "30 is'about waist high or counter high, so thatia person can play the game comfortably jand conveniently while standing'at one'end of the housing. Said housing or casing comprises a front end wall 3 l, preferably merging with rounded corners into the twoside walls 32, 32, the other ends of these side walls being joined' together by a rear wall 33. The surface of the bowling alleyproper is preferably composed of a length of plywood 35, although it may be otherwise constructed of wood, metal, or other material. This board is I slope toward the rear end of the alley,a's shown in Figure 5, and a ball return gutter or trough 36 extends along the one side of this alley'board35, beingsloped down hill substantially correspondingly to the slope of the alley, so as to return the physical bowling ball'tothe ball projecting mec'zhanisin. This ball projecting mechanismfindicat'edat31 in'its entirety, comprises the aforementioned ball simulating member 38 whichprojects 'slightly'from the front end 3! of the casing, Projecting upwardly from the rear portion or the casing is a raised housing portion A l which carriesthe score and play indicating panel 42 in its front wall. sloping adapted to be joined and Figures and downwardly and forwardly from the lower por tion of the indicatingpanel 42 is the pinsimulat ing panel 44 in which the bowling pins 45 are electrically simulated', as I shall presently describe. A glass cover 46 (FigureS) 7 extends over the top of the alley tiand over the pin simulating panel 44, the rear edge of this glass'pane -46 terminating substantially at the raised housing portion 4|, so thatthe indicating panel Alex tends upwardly above the glass cover. Suchglass cover prevents tampering with" the bowlingball, h a proj ct n echani m. h s'et eis or-any of the other working partsof the mechaf the casing. The ball normally rests at the rear end Ball delivering mechanism Referring now to the details of the ball projecting or delivering mechanism 31, as that shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8, it will be seen that the ball simulating member 38, which is preferably a life size replica of the standard bowling ball, having conventional finger holes 48, is mounted for universal rotative movement within a circular opening 49 in the front casing wall 3|. simulating member 38 is arranged to swing to right or left a platform upon which the bowling ball 50 comes to rest after it has been returned through the ball return gutter 36. The rear portion of this horizontal platform 5| is fixedly secured to a rectangular pivoting frame 52 which has vertically aligned pivot studs 53 projecting upwardly and downwardly from its top and bottom legs for pivotal mounting in pivot brackets 54 projecting inwardly from the front wall 3| of simulating member 38 is provided with horizontally aligned pivot brackets 55 (Figure 8) carrying horizontal pivot pins 55 which project through pivot apertures in the side legs of the pivoting frame 52. It will thus be seen that horizontal pivoting movement imparted to the ball simulating member 38 will swing the ball supporting and aiming platform 5| to right or left around the vertical pivot axis 53 for aiming the ball 58 at the desired point in the group of bowling pins or at a particular pin. The ball of a slot or notch 51 cut in the forward portion of the platform 5|, this platform or the slot being given sufficient fore and aft tilt to normally hold the ball 50 at the inner end of the slot 51. The platform may also be sloped or dished down laterally from each side to the slot. When the ball is returned through the return trough 36, a laterally projecting end portion 36' of this trough directs the ball on to the surface of the platform 5| and into the slot 51. Transverse guide blocks 58 mounted upon the platform 5| assist in directing a ball into the rear portion of the slot 51. If for some abnormal reason the ball should roll back down the surface of the alley 35, it will be guided back into the slot 51 by the trough extension 36' on one side or by the guide finger 59 (Figure 4) on the other side. The swinging edge of the platform is rounded to swing within an arcuate forward edge 6! of the bowling alley surface 35, so that when the ball 50 is projected from the slot 51 it passes from the platform 5| directly onto the bowling alley 35.

The projection or delivery of the ball is effected by a projecting lever 62 which has an upper pushing portion extending upwardly through the slot 51, and against which pushing portion the ball 50 normally rests. The lower portion of the lever 62 is pivotally mounted at 64 upon a sta tionary bracket 65 which projects rearwardly from a vertical hanger bracket 66 extending downwardly from the under part of the platform 5|, so as to swing therewith. The lower end of this vertical bracket 66 carries a solenoid wind ing 61 arranged to actuate a solenoid core 68. The projecting end of the solenoid core carries a pivot pin 69 operating within a pivot slot 1| formed in the lower end of the ball projecting lever 62. A tension spring 12 connected between the lever 62 and the bracket 66 normally tends to hold the lever 62 in the retracted position shown. When the solenoid 61 is energized, it swings the lever 62 around the pivot pin 64 and imparts a quick ball projecting motion to the ball w do The contact springs 14 are mounted upon the lower portion of the pivoting frame 52, and the circuit 15 is conventionally represented as leading from a source of current supply over conductor MR2 through the contact springs 14 and through the solenoid the ball simulating member 38 downwardly for closing the contacts 14 and projecting the ball toward that aimed spot. In the commercial coin controlled embodiment of the game, the aforementioned current supply conductor MR2 is preferably made subject to switch ing automatic scoring mechanism but using the ball projecting mechanism 31, this terminal MR2 would be connected to the regular source of current supply for the game.

As shown in Figure 3,

supporting board 35. Side gutters 13 are defined between the edges of this alley strip 35' and longitudinally extending side rails 14. The ball return trough 36 is defined between the left hand rail 14 and another adjacent side rail 15. Referring to Figure 9, when the ball reaches the rear end of the alley it rolls up a ramp 11 which extends across the entire width between side rails 14, 14, so as to receive a ball rolling in either gutter 13, as well as balls rolling on the alley proper. From the top edge of the ramp 11 the ball drops into a transverse sloping trough 18 which directs the ball into the upper end of the return trough 36, through which it is delivered to the ball projecting or delivery mechanism 31.

Referring now to the arrangement of the simulated bowling pins, this comprises the downwardly and forwardly sloping panel 44 adjacent to the rear end of the alley, which panel bears the ten simulated bowling pins p 12 10 12 12 22 10 p p and p as best shown in Figure 3.

laterally across the width of the panel 44 in the same transverse positions that they would occupy in an actual bowling alley, and these simulated bins are distributed or spacedvertically'across to be actuatedby thatparticulartarget plate. the vertical dimension ofthe panel 44 in such The switch actuating lever 88 is pivoted for rock- -relation as to give the "optical-illusion'that the ing movement'around a pivot pin 9| suitably pins are actually setting on the surface of the carried in .a mounting plate or bracket constitutalley board -35 when viewed from'the front or ing part of: the switch structure. The dotted line ball delivering end of the alley. Thelower edge position in Figure. ll shows the target'plate in of the panel is spaced-from the surface of the its normal position, and'the full lines represent alley just enough to allow the'ball ill-to pass the target 'plate'in its actuated position. The freely under the panel. This panel-44 is -prefer- :target plate and lever 88 are adapted to be ably composed of atranslucentmaterial, such 10 latched in this actuated position by a latching as a colored plastic or painted glass, and may shoulder '93 on the lever'88 which is adapted to have decalcomania' or like translucent images of swing in under a latching lug 94 projecting fr m bowling pins properly placed on its under side to a pivoted'armatureeil. This armature is adapted den te th imul t d-bowli i p -p ineluto be retracted into its released'position 'by a -sive. Directly under the panel'44 isa partition r l as ng eoil'H. A'tension spring '91 restores 82, and directly under this partition is aback the target plate and lever 88 to the normal posiboard 8-3. The partition 82 is provided with ope tion illustrated in dotted'lines when the releas- 'ings 84 for receiving the-light bulbs 85 which s i H is n r a d a nsi n spr n 98 are mountedin sockets 86 carried by the back Operates Soon as'this eoil'isdeehergized to board 83. There is an' opening, 'a lightbulb fi 'latehihg a ture 95in readiness to 85, and a socketBB corresponding to each simuagain s ap he latching lug 94 over the latching Ila-ted bowling i l pl0 In one preferrederm shoulder 93 as'soon as the target plate has been "bodiment, each opening'84' has thedesired outline w liialWardly y e bowling ball 50. The of a bowling in in such proportions as to make pile-up'ef movable and stationary ac spr ngs the pin look liie like when viewed by the player .39 Suitably pp rt d on the conventional Flooking diagonally downwardly from the front frame member 99 that es the tripping coil *end of the casing. These pin-shaped outlines in These Seven target p e target plate the openings 84 may be'provided with d switches and release coils are suitably supported comama tran f r if desired fli ht on any desired type of frame structure disposed bulb corresponding-to a particular bowling pin in real of the P Simulating pa el 44. The

is illuminated th t i t d -f th from the different stationary and movable contacts of the target plates at the same time, as illustrated in a spare has been bowled panel is contrasting life-like appearance and pile-ups 89 will be'hereinafter described in G011- when that light bulb is extinguished the bowling -e i the circuit i rams.

pin is blanked out or merged into the background upwardly from the op edge of the color of the panel, so that'the effect is that the pm e inating panel '44 is the other indicating bowling pin has been completely removed from P311614?- gu e 9), also Composed of transluthat Spot theurfa e of the alley To m; cent material, such' as a colored plastic, painted tate a further description of these simulated i e the k Behind this panel 52 s parbowling pins, I shall hereinafter use'the refertitlen Hi2 h vin openings I'G3'the1'ein in which ence characters 231,412 em in the collective sense 40 are disposed light bulbs I04. These light bulbs 35 including the li ht'b bggi associated with are mounted inlsockets Hi5 carried in a back that particular bowling pin. Hence, a statement board This upper indicating p e is prothat a particular u u struck pins vided with a plurality of indicating areas best 6 9 and 10 merelYmeanSithat the light bulbs illustrated in Figure 3. Extending across the inlback of a a and 10 have been extinguished 4 upper-portion'of the panel is a series of ten box Referring now to the target plate are 941 936 desigllated'l t0 inclusive; for hit" by the bowling ball after it passes under'the rating the particular frame e that the lower edge of the simulated'pin panel 44, there player is theh'howhhg- In'the 00 controlled are preferably seven of these target plates 'distribembodiment 0f the game, it m y be desirable to uted across'the pin spot width of the alley, as confine the Cycle of the s me to five frames to clearly hown in 3 The centralta rg t be bovllled fOr'fiVe Cents and Such Case plate designated A is substantially aligned with t r WQuld only be e of hese box areas ms the two centrally disposed pins 1 and pe To designating five frames in each coin controlled each side thereof are targetplates B and C'which of the game A Series of three box eas are substantially aligned with pinsp andv p w preferably disposed below'the frame desigand with pins and p9, respectively Disposed hating areas Hi8, these latter areas Hi9 bearing outwardly of the latter target plates/are plates iFheFOHYGHUOnaI gross and diagonal line symbols D and E which are substantially aligned with Indicating strikes and a spare These indi' pins p4 and p6, respectively Finally thektwo ating areas designate whether the player is outermost target plates F and G are substavm working on a strike or a spare from a preceding tially aligned with the two outermost pins p frame or frames At the left and right sides of and p respectively. The adjacent edges of 21 3 gg large indicating areas these targetplates come into close proximity to w a Strike and spare each other, so that a ball can strike two adjacent respectively. These indicating areas give a very 5 large prominent indication as soon as a strike or Figure 10' where the ball in its full line position lower portion of the fi gg g i lgi gi is striking target plates A and C, and in a dotted scoremd-matmg areas 6 I The upper line position is striking target plates A and '3. row '3 designates the tens count of the Score Referring to Figure 11 each target plate is In the case of aten fmm i e game the score would mounted upon the downwardly extending arm extend to a total of"300,as illustrated in Figure 8B or a contactactuating lever 88 substantially 3, but in the case of a, five frame game the score of hell crank form, this lever having an upwardly would extend; to a total of 150, representing a e te nding. arm- 88" which isadapted to actuate perfect score for five-frames. The lower row of apileof movablecontactsprmgs 89 wh1ch are scoreindicating areas H1 carry the digit "numerals from 1 to 9, inclusive, for indicating the unit portion of each score. Thus, the player can tell at any instant in the game what his score is up to that point in the game. It will be un derstood that all of the above described indicating areas I68 to H7, inclusive, will have openings I03 formed in the partition board I02 in rear thereof, and will have one or more light bulbs I 04 in these openings for illuminating those particular indicating areas.

Referring to Figure 9, it will be seen that when the ball The operating functions performed by these trip switches will be later described in connection with the circuit diagram.

The various indicating functions, scoring functions and other automatic functions of the game are governed or controlled by six rotary stepping relays or stepping switches, shown in Figures 19A 19D. Three of these rotary switches designated J, K and L appear in Figure 193; another rotary switch M appears in Figure 190; and rotary switches N and P appear in Figure 19D. If the game is provided with free-play apparatus, then another rotary switch R (Figure 19A) is provided for this function. These seven rotary switches fall into either one of three classifications: first, a unidirectional stepping type of switch in which the stepping impulses only step the switch unit in one direction, the switch being restored in the opposite direction by a return spring upon the electrical tripping of a holding pawl; second, a duo-directional or add and subtract stepping type of switch in which the switching function can occur selectively in either direction for performing adding and subtracting operations; and third, a uni-directional motor driven switch in which the advancing motion is a continuous motor driven motion rather than a stepping motion, and in which there is no return motion. Figure 16 diagrammatically illustrates a typical structural arrangement of a uni-directional spring restored type of rotary stepping switch in which the rotatable wiping contact or contacts I25 are stepped over a series of stationary contacts I26 mounted in a disk I30, such stepping being effected in a clockwise direction in the embodiment shown by a stepping pawl I27 engaging ratchet wheel I28. The pawl I21 is carried by a stepping lever I29 which is adapted to be actuated from a stepping coil I 3| either through an armature or solenoid core I32. The rotary switch arms are adapted to be restored to a normal position by a spring I35 preferably surrounding the rotor shaft I36. The switch arms are adapted to be held in each position of stepping advancement by a holding pawl I 31 engaging in the teeth of the ratchet wheel I28, this holding pawl being adapted to be released through a tripping armature I38 adapted to respond to a tripping or releasing electromagnet I39. For certain situations, this rotary switch is provided with switch contacts I4I which are arranged to be moved to closed position by the stepping lever I29 with each movement of said lever in a stepping direction,

the rotary contact arms or commutators I45 wipe back and forth over contacts I46 mounted in the disk I41. The shaft I43 for these rotary switch blades is adapted to be stepped in either direction by a stepping wheel I 49 having symmetrically shaped stepping teeth I49' around its periphery. This stepping wheel is adapted to be actuated in a counter-clockwise direction by the downward stepping motion of a left-hand stepping pawl I5I which is adapted to engage the teeth its at the left-hand side of the wheel, and the wheel is advanced or rotated in a clockwise direction by a similar stepping pawl I52 disposed to the right-hand side of the shaft I48 and arranged to engage the stepping teeth I49 at the right-hand side of the stepping wheel. The pawl I5! responds to a stepping electromagnet I53 and the pawl I52 responds to a similar electromagnet I54, these pawls being both spring returned to their normal elevated positions out of engagement with the ratchet teeth I49 through the action of tension springs I55 (Fig. 18). A spring centered holding pawl I56, capable of spring resisted throw to either side of a neutral position, is arranged for engaging the teeth I49 of the wheel I49 so as to yieldingly hold the wheel in each position to which it has been turned by either the counter-clockwise advancing pawl I 5I or the clockwise advancing pawl I52. type of add and subtract rotary switch can also be equipped with auxiliary switches Itl disposed above either or both of the stepping pawls I5l and I-52 so as to respond to the motion of these stepping pawls.

Referring briefly to the type and function of each of the rotary switches J, K, L, M, N, P and R, the rotary switch J is of the spring return type illustrated in Fig. 16 and is a frame counting switch, i. c. it counts the successive frames of the bowling game. Rotary switch K is also of the spring return type shown in Fig. 16, and functions as 3, units counting switch, i. e. it steps up the units score on the indicating panel 42 by controlling the lighting of the light bulbs behind the units indicating areas II I. Rotary switch L is also of the spring return type as shown in Fig. 16 and functions as a tens counting switch, i. e. it steps up the tens score on the indicating panel 42 by controlling the illumination of the light bulbs behind the tens indicating areas II6. Rotary switch M is of the aforementioned motor driven type, driven by a rotary armature type of motor, and functions as a tally switch, i. c. it counts the individual pin score (in collaboration with the target switches) and it transmits the tally of strikes, spares and individual pins to other ports of the system. Rotary switch N is of the add and subtract type shown in Figures 17 and 18, and functions as a temporary strike storing switch, i. c. it temporarily records or stores the strike value which may be existing at that moment of play in the game, awaiting the delivery of the next two balls. Rotary switch P is of the spring return type shown in Fig. 16, and functions as a ball counting switch, i. e. it counts the balls bowled in each frame so as to establish whether the first ball or second ball has been bowled in each frame. Rotary switch R is of the add or subtract type shown in Figures 17 and 18 and functions as a free play controller, i. e. in a coin controlled type of game it determines whether the player is entitledto bowl another. gamefree. by virtue of having obtained a predetermined high score in the previous game, or it may determine how many of these free games the player is entitled to bowl by virtue of a previous high score. Before starting a detailed description of all'of the electrical circuits interconnecting the above mentioned rotary switches J, K, L, etc., I will first describe the conventional method of scoring in a standard or official bowling game so that the scoring procedure and the terms referring thereto will be clearly understood in the description of the circuits.

Method of scoring If the player succeeds in knocking down all ten pins with the bowling of the first ball he has made a strike. If the player succeeds in knocking down all ten pins in bowling two successive balls he has made a spare. If the player fails to knock down all ten pins upon the bowling of two balls he has made a miss, or error. Referring first to the scoring value of a miss or error, the player merely receives one point each for the number of pins he did knock down upon the bowling or two balls, viz. if the two balls together merely knock down six pins he receives a score of 6. Referring now to the scoring value of a spare, the player receives ten points (one for each pin) plus the number of pins he knocks down with the first ball which he bowls in the next frame, as a reward for making a spare. This value of ten-plus is his score for the frame in which he made the spare, and should be tallied immediately after the first ball of the succeeding frame has knocked pins down. Referring now to the scoring value of a strike, should the player knock down all ten pins with his first ball delivery (a strike), he receives ten points (one for each pin) plus the number of pins he knocks down with his next two ball deliveries. If the player should strike again, with the first ball of the next succeeding frame, the score for the frame of the initial strike would be increased to 20, but still would not be tallied, since this'ball was only the first ball after the initial strike. Then, if by chance, the player makes a third strike with his next delivery thereupon the initial strike score will be increased to 30 points, and this being the second ball following the initial strike, the 30 points should be tallied immediately and credited to the frame in which the initial strike was made. Having tallied this initial strike, the second strike made becomes the initia strike, and the third strike made by the player then becomes the first delivery after this latter initial strike. Should the player fail to'strike on his next ball delivery, this delivery will then he the second ball of this present or later initial strike, whereupon points plus what was obtained on this latter delivery should be tallied and credited to the proper frame. Thus, only one of the three strikes remains to be tallied. One ball has already been delivered following this last strike, and what the player knocks down on his next delivery, plus what he obtained on the preceding one, will be added to the ten he received for the last strike to comprise the score to be tallied and credited to the frame in which the strike was made. If the player failed to spare with his just mentioned second delivery, the number of pins knocked down for the last two deliveries will also be tallied at this time, and credited to this last frame. My improved bowling game keeps a perfectly true and accurate y positions.

score baseduponthisstandard conventional scoring procedure. just described and. officially es.-

tablished as the official scoring in allfull sized bowling alleys.

Simulated pin-Zighitingcircuits Attention is now directed to Figure 12 which illustrates a simplified circuit diagram of the circuits for'the simulated'pin-lights p to 10 inclusive. As previously described, when these light bulbs i -p are illuminated; the simulated bowling pins corresponding thereto stand out'on the simulated pin panel 44 in contrasting life-like appearance, and when any one of these light bulbs is extinguished the bowling pin correspondingthereto is blanked out or merged into the background color of the panel, so that the effect is that-the bowling pin has been completely removed from that spot on the surface of the alley. In Figure 12, the seven target plates A, B, C,.D, E, F and G are shown substantially in their geometrically, aligned relation with the associated'simulated pin-lights p to 17 inclusive. Directly above each target plate is also shown the stack or pile-up of contact switches controlled by that target plate (identical with the stacks or piles of contact springs 89 in Figures l0 and- 11). Also associated with these target plates in Figure 12' are their respective releasing, coils H, previously described in conneetion with Figures 10 and 11. This circuit diagramof Figure. 12 is intended to illustrate a simplified embodiment. of the invention, particularly adapted to home use in which no automatic scoring apparatus is provided. In this simplified home. embodiment of. the game, the bowling ball can be bowled by hand or by the ball delivery mechanism of Figures 6, 7 and 8, as desired. In this simplified embodiment, when target plate A isstruck with the bowling ball it shifts switch A2 from the fullline position to the dotted line position. When: target plate B is actuated it movesswitches B2, B3 and B4 to open circuit When target plate C is actuated it moves switches C2, C3 and C4 to open circuit positions. When target plate D is actuated it moves switches D2, D3 and D4 to open circuit positions. When target plate E- is actuated it moves switches E2, E3 and Ed'to' open circuit positions. Whentarget plate F is actuated it moves switch F2. to open circuit position; and, similarly, when target plate G' is actuated it moves switch G2 to open circuit position. As previously described, the bowling ball can actuate two adjacent target plates by striking both target plates at the same time. When changingthis simplified embodiment of the game to the more complicated embodiment includingthe automatic scoring apparatus, it is only necessary to add a first circuit closing switchtoeach stack, and .to add a second circuitclosing switchto stacks A, Band C. This will be later described in connection with Figure19C.

All of the release coils H are adapted to be energized simultaneously through a circuit H. In this simplified-embodiment of the game, circuit H can be controlled'by any conventional push button or manual switch I65 connected to a source of' current'supplydesignated CS. The other side of this release coil circuit is grounded or otherwise connected to the other side of the source of current supply. Arclay AA has its winding connected through circuit AA with switches D3, B3, C3 and E3, as will be later described, and switch AAI of relay AA is connected through circuit AAI' with the back contact of switch A2. Current is supplied to this network of pin-light circuits from a current supply source CS which is connected with the movable current supply source CS from switches A2 and B3 when the game is not in use. In the coin controlled embodiment of the game hereinafter described, the coin control mechanism governs the connection of the source of current supply CS to the terminals or bus marked CS. All of the pin-light circuits continue through the lights p --p and connect to ground.

Referring now to the operation of the pinlight switches, most of the pin-light circuits originate through break-and-make switch A2 of target plate A. Since the target plates are all assumed to be in normal position, the respective target plate switches will likewise be assumed to be in normal positions (closed). Therefore, any circuits leading to these target switches will be allowed to continue through them. Thus, circuit p from current supply source CS passes through switch A2 and continues to switches B2 and C2 by way of conductors B2 and C2. Circuit p also extends through switch A2 to conductor to pin-light p for illuminating that light. Upon reaching switch B2, circuit B2 is completed through this switch and through conductor 19 to pin-light p for illuminating that light, and this circuit also continues through D2 and switch D2 and thence through conductor 11 to pin-light for illuminating that light. Likewise, circuit p, after passing through switch A2, continues through conductor C2 and switch C2 to pin-light conductor :0 for illuminating pin-light p and also continues through switch E2 to pin-light conductor 12 for illuminating pin-light 2%. Thus the illumination of pin-lights :0 32 p p and p is accomplished.

It will be noted that supply circuit p also extends directly to switch B3 of target plate B passes through this switch to switch C3 of target plate C. This latter switch C3 extends supply circuit (from current supply source CS) to relay circuit AA, which relay circuit also connects with target switches D3 and E3, as previously described. Target switch D3 allows relay circuit AA to continue by way of conductor F2 through switch F2 and thence through conductor 19 to pin-light p Similarly, target switch E3 allows the relay circuit AA to continue by way of conductor G2 through target switch G2 and thence through conductor 10 to pinlight p Thus, the illumination of pin-lights p and p is accomplished.

According to the playing averages of the game, pin-light 12 should be extinguished by hitting target plates A, B or C, and, hence, circuit 12 is arranged to originate beyond switch B2 through 12 this circuit continuing through switch C4 to pin-light 12 For the same reasons, pin-lights p and p should also be extinguished simultaneously by the hitting of target plates A, B and C, and, hence, circuit p is caused to originate beyond switch C2 through conductor p and thence through switch B4 to switches D4 and E4. Switch D4 completes the circuit through conductor p to pin-light p and switch E4 completes the circuit through conductor :1 to pin-light 12 By these circuit connections, pin-lights p and p are caused to be extinguished when the ball tively). Thus, relay when the ball target plate E,

Thus, by illuminating the pinand p through the circuit connectraced, the lighting of all pins is opening the associated target plate switches D2, D3 and D4. This interrupts circuit 12 at the switch D2 and also interrupts circuit F2 at switch D3. In addition, circuit 10 is interrupted at switch D4. Hence, pin-lights p, p and p are simultaneously extinguished by this actuation of the ball strikes target plate F alone or when it strikes target plate G alone. The two diagrams designated BA and AC represent strikes, the diagram BA showing the ball entering the socalled 1-2 pocket represented by the simul taneous striking of target plates A and B, and the diagram AC showing the ball entering the so-called 13 pocket represented by the simultaneous striking of target plates A and C. Each of these scores a strike by extinguishing all ten pin-lights. The third diagram in the bottom row designated A shows spending to the ball striking only target plate A. This usually results in a split, leaving the 7 and 10 pins standing. Referring now to the unique arrangement of the switches and circuits which provides for this split scoring play, the relay AA exercises a control function at this time which maintains the split and prevents the possibility of both the p and p 9 lights being simultaneously extinguished if one or the other of the pins is picked off by the next ball. previously described, supply circuit p joins relay circuit AA which, in addition to supplying relay AA, also extends through switches D3 and E3 which eventually lead to pin-lights p" and 11 (through switches F2 and G2, respec- AA is maintained energized whenever target plates B and C are both in their normal positions. Hence, when target plate A is hit (without also striking either target plate B or target plate C as well) the break-and-make switch A2 will change from a normal to an engaged position (from engagement with its front contact to engagement with its back contact), thereby breaking supply circuit p at this switch and causing pin-lights 10 12 p 12 p p p and p to be extinguished. However, pin-lights p and 10 will not be extinguished at this time, since circuit p energizes the circuit AA for these lights directly through switches B3 and C3 (and thence through switches D3 and F2 and switches E3 and G2) instead of coming through breakand-make switch A2 first, as with the other pinlight circuits, Similarly, relay AA will still remain energized because it is not energized through switch A2. Therefore, having shifted switch A2 from its normal position to an engaged position in engagement with its back contacts, a circuit AA! is thence completed from conductor p to the relay switch AAI which normally stands open. However, since relay AA is still being energized, as above explained, this normally open relay'switch AAI will be closed, thus enabling circuit AAI to be completed through conductor AA into the winding of relay AA, thereby causing said relay to lock up or hold itself energized until target switch A2 is restored to its normalposition in engagement with its front contacts. By completing circuit AAI' through relay switch AA! and into relay AA by way of conductor AA, as just mentioned, this latter circuit AA will also be completed by current supplied over conductor AM to switches D3 and E3, causing pin-lights p and p to remain illuminated along with the energization of said relay AA. The primary purpose of employing thisrelay AA in the circuit relation just described. is to prevent the player from being able to extinguish both pin-lights p" and p simultaneously with his next. delivery by hitting either target plate B or C, inasmuch as it is generally recognized as impossible in bowling for a player to remove both pins of a 7--l0 split with one delivery. Furthermore, it would be unorthodox to be able to remove themby bowling practically down the center of the alley.

Now let us modify or turn this example around by assuming that'instead of hitting target plate A with his first delivery, the player first hits target plate B, and thereafter hits target plate A with his second delivery. With reference to the first delivery striking target plate B, this will cause the normally closed switches B2, B3 and B4 to open, thereby extinguishing pinlights 11 p and p at switch B2; extinguishing p and p at switch B3; and extinguishing pinlights 19 and p at switch B4. It will be noted that the opening of switch B3, which serves to extinguish pin-lights p and p also interrupted relay circuit AA, thereby returning relay switch AAI to its normal position (open). Then, assuming that the player hits target plate A with his next delivery, he will extinguish the remaining three pin- lights p 10 and 10 as heretofore described. This act of striking target plate A changed the break-and-make switch A2 from its normal to an engaged position in engagement with the back contact, thereby causing circuit 13' to be diverted'to conductor AAI, as heretofore described, and on to switch AA! of relay AA, but this circuit will not be completed to AA, since relay AA is not being energized at this time, which means that switch AAl is in its normal open position. It will thus be seen that the player successfully extinguished all ten pin-lights with two deliveries, thereby accomplishing a spare.

In order to make a strike, viz extinguish all ten pin-lights with one delivery, the player must hit target plates A and B or target plates A and C simultaneously (and not hit target plate A alone). The opening of switch A2 will extinuish pin-li hts 2 p 1 P 1 2 .1 a 1 as previously described, and switch B3 of target plate B or switch C3 of target plate C, depending upon which of these two target plates was also struck, will extinguish pin-lights p and p and will also release relay AA, restoring its switch AA! to normal open position. Thus, by actuating targets A and B or A and C simultaneously, switch B3 or switch C3 will open, releasing relay AA, before the break-and-make switch A2 can change position and causethe relay AA to hold itself energized, as heretofore described. That is to say, whenswitches A2 and B3, or A2 and C3, are actuated simultaneously, there is a very short interval when no current is being conducted to relay AA and, hence, this relay reenergizes, thus cutting off current to pin-lights p and 10 This is thecondition for a strike. In contra-distinction to this when the ball travels down the middle of the alley and only hits target plate A for a split, the movement of switch A2 to its actuated or upper position supplies current to relay AA over contact AAI, thus locking up'relay AA until all target plates are restored. While this relay AA thus locks up, either pinlight 10 or pin-light p can be extinguished by the next ball but both cannot be extinguished.

After the frame has'been completed, either by the making of a strike on the first ball, or by the bowling of two balls, the target plates must all be restored to normal, and all of the target plate switches and related circuits restored to normal, so that the ten pin-lights will again be illuminated for starting the next frame of the game. In the simplified home embodiment of the game illustrated'in Figure 12, this is done by merely closing the push button switch E65 which energizes all of the release coils H simultaneously and, hence, permits any latched target plates to be released and restored to normal position. The player can then proceed to bowl the next frame. With this embodiment of the game the player would, of course, tabulate the score on a score sheet in the way ordinarily done in a regulation bowling alley.

Automatic scoring embodiment Referring now to the automatic scoring embodiment of this game, the seven target plates A to G, inclusive, together with their automatic switches and release magnets, remain the same as previously described of the non-scoring embodiment, except that each target plate is provided with an additional switch designated Al, Bl, C'l, DLEI, FI and GI, (Figure 19C) and, furthermore, target plate A is provided with additional switch A3 and target plates B and C are provided with additional switches B5 and C5. Inthe automatic scoring embodiment of the game the ball return trough 3B (Figure 9) is pro vided with two ball return trip switches FEl, FE2. These trip switches are suitably mounted on supporting brackets directly below the ball return trough 36 and have trip fingers l2! which extend up through openings I22 formed in the bottom of the trough, these fingers being positioned to be struck in sequence by the ball in its return motion down the trough 36. It is appropriate to briefly describe-the main operating functions of these two trip switches FE! and FE2 in connection with Figure 1953 before describing the complete circuit diagram in its entirety Accordingly, attention is directed to Fig ure 19D whichshows that when trip switch FEl closes under the action of a returning ball, it originates a circuit from current supply source CS which continues along conductor 00 5 to break-and-make switch ST3 of Strike relay ST. Assuming that the first delivery of the ball which has thus actuated the trip switch FEI did not accomplish a Strike, then strike relay ST will not be energized, for reasons pointed out later on in connection with primary circuit one. Hence, circuit 00! will continue through the normally closed position of switch ST3 along 17 conductor PS to solenoid PS of rotary switch P, this being the ball counting switch. Rotary switch P is of the impulse stepping type that advances its fingers PFl-PF3 one position, as indicated, each time that the stepping solenoid PS is impulsed. Therefore, fingers PFi, PF2 andPFS are moved from their respective normal or rest positions PH), P20 and P39 to their first actuated positions Pl I P2! and PM. Fingers PF], PF2 and PF3 are insulated from each other, and are utilized primarily to complete secondary circuits whose operations are made subject to whether the ball delivery is the first ball or the second ball of the particular frame being bowled. This rotary switch P is provided with an electrical reset PR which, upon energization, releases the holding pawl and permits the contact fingers to be instantly restored to normal position by a return each time that the coil of reset PR, is energized. The other trip switch FEE functions primarily as an auxiliary switch in connection with secondary circuits to be later described, and hence of the game, the player then attempts to extinguish the remaining pin-lights with his second delivery. Whether he does or not, the returning ball will again actuate trip switches FE! tary switch P will be advanced to positions PI2, 2

P22 and P32, respectively. tained a Spare with his second delivery, then "primary circuit two would be established through this second stepping position of the fingers PFI, PFZ and PF3 of rotary switch P, as will be later described under primary circuit two. If the player fails to make a Spare with his second delivery, it constitutes a miss, and the resulting operations would begin with primary circuit three, which will also be hereinafter described. Figure 15 defines by reference characters the four main circuits of the system. For example, the ball return circuit consists of elements FEI-OO IST3-PS'-PS. If the player makes a circuit one functions, such being defined by elements S'Pl0PF|-S-ST. If the player makes a Spare in the bowling of two balls If the player obtwo is caused to function, this circuit comprising elements S-Pl |-PFl-SP'-SP. If the player makes a miss in that particular frame, th primary circuit three is caused to function, this circuit. comprising elements P22-PF2O| --SP4 MR-MR. We shall now refer to- Primary circuit one, the strike circuit As previously described under the heading of "Simulated Pin Lighting Circuits, in order to complete a Strike circuit, the player must simultaneously hit either targets A and B or targets A and C. In the present instance, let us hit targets A and B, thereby of these two target. plates to be raised to a locked position, and resulting in the actuation of the respective stacks of contacts above targets A and B, as shown in Figure 190. This will cause normally open switches Al and A3 to close and will also cause normally open switches Bland B5 to close. As previously Strike then primary described, this strike actuation of targets A and B also causes normally closed switches B2, B3 and B4 to open, and causes break-and-make switch A2 to change position back into engagement with its backcontacts, thereby extinguish ing all ten pin-lights, as previously described in connection with the pin-lighting circuits.

With target plates A and B latched up in their actuated positions, supply circuit 20' supplies current out through switches A3 and B5 in series to circuit S. In this automatic scoring embodiment of the game, the relay AA is provided with additional contact switches AAZ, AA3 and AA4, as shown in Figure 19C. Circuit S connects with relay switch AA4, which is normally closed, and continues through this switch to the point Pln on rotary switch P, as shown in Figure 19D. As heretofore explained, rotary switch P determines whether the delivery is the first ball or the second ball of the frame. Inasmuch as targets A and B were both swung back into their locked position by the first ball delivered, the fingers of rotary switch P are still standing in their normal or Home positions (the 0 position). Therefore, circuit S continues through finger PFI of rotary switch P and continues from the lower contact PIU of this switch past the junction point with conductor STF and finally termipreviously described, thus originating circuit ball return function, but inasmuch as this par- Strike, switch 5T3 of strike relay ST has changed from its normal position in engagement with its back contacts to an engaged or actuated position in engagement with its front contacts. Therefore, instead of circuit 00 l continuing along conductor PS to the stepping solenoid PS, it is diverted to circuit NA which is connected to the actuating coil NA of rotary switch N. This energization of actuating coil NA advances the switch fingers NFl-NF4 from their respective resting positions N ND, N20, N3!) and N40 to their first advanced positions NI I, NZI, N3! and NM. As previously described, this rotary switch N is an add and subtract rotary switch adapted to be stepped collectively in either direction by the two actuating coils NA and NS. The switch fingers NFI to NF4 are insulated from each other and advanced in an adding direction (counter-clockwise), each time actuating coil NAis impulsed. The switch fingers will also step backwardly or subtract one position each time that actuating coil NS is impulsed (as hereinafter described under Scoring). The main purpose of this rotary switch N is to temporarily record Strikes until. they have been duly tallied. After being tallied, they are individually removed in accordance with the scoring system of actual bowling, this occurring by the impulsing of actuating coil NS. The

19 switch fingers NFI-NF4 therefore move back and forth to and from the four positions shown, permitting the prope circuits to operate in accordance with the number of strikes that are recorded and tallied.

Whenever the add coil NA is impulsed, the normally open switch NAI associated with this coil (switch IBI of Figure 18) is caused to close, thereby originating circuit NAI which starts from current source CS and continues through break-and-make switch SP3 of spare relay SP and thence continues through conductor J S to solenoid J S of the frame counting rotary switch J. Upon the energization of this stepping solenoid JS, the fingers JFI and JFZ of this rotary switch are advanced one point to signify the completion of a frame of the game. The contact points J I, J2, J3, etc. are each individually connected with the light bulbs J I, J2, J3, etc. which are disposed in the box areas I08 of panel 42, these box indicating areas indicating the particular frame of the game that the player is then bowling. If the game is constructed. to score ten frames, then there are ten of these light bulb s J I to J Ill, inclusive, which are arranged to be energized collectively from pin contact points J I to J ii] of the frame counting switch J. If the game is constructed to score only'five frames, then there are only five of these light bulbs and five associated contact points on addition to these five or ten contact points on the rotary switch, there are provided two additional contacts indicated at J II and J I2 which are multipled to the last lightconnected contact, which in the case of a ten frame game would be the contact J I0, and in the case of a five frame game would be the contact J5. These provide for strikes beyond the last frame. Each time that solenoid JS is energized to step the switch J for counting one more frame, an auxiliary switch JS! is also moved to a closed position, thereby completing a circuit fromcurrent source CS over conductor I-I' directly to all of the releasing coils H of the seven target plates, as a result of which all actuated target plates are released for returning to normal position. Referring to Figure 19D, attention 'is directed to the fact that circuit PR leading to the reset coil PR of rotary switch P branches off or originates from circuit H. Thus,

the rotary switch. In

I the reset PR is energized each time that the release coil circuit H is energized, with the result that the ball counting switch P is restored to normal position each time that the release magn'ets H are energized plates to normal position. It should also be noted that when finger NF! of rotary switch N is advanced or retracted to switch points NII, NI2, or NI3, a circuit is completed over conductor XI to tally board light XI (Figure 19B) which illuminates the first box area I09, Fig.3, on indicating panel 42 for the purpose of indicating that the player still has a strike to be tallied, pending what he receives on'his next two deliveries. Also, if and when finger NF4 of rotary switch N contacts points N42 and N43, it will complete a circuit X2 to the tally board light X2 which is in th second box area I09,

thereby serving to indicate that the player has two strikes yet to be properly scored and tallied. Still further, attention is directed to the fact that when a'strike is made, the energization of strike circuit S continues through switch finger PFI of rotary switch P and thence branches through conductor STF' (in addition t confor restoring the target K tinuing on through conductor S to strike relay ST). This energization of conductor STF, in this instance, energizes tally board light STF which illuminates the large indicating area II4 on the indicating panel for designating a Strike in a prominent mnaner. This illumination of the strike indicating area IIt continues until the returning ball engages the trip switches FEI and FEZ in its path, causing the targets and their respective switches to return to normal, and thereby breaking the circuit S.

Primary circuit two, the spare circuit In order to register a Spare, the player must originate or energize the same circuit S of primary circuit one, viz the strike circuit, with two ball deliveries, instead of one. If his first delivery fails to hit either target A, B or C (Figure 190) he will have to hit targets A and B simultaneously or A and 0 simultaneously with his second delivery (like making a strike), in order to extinguish all of the lights and. obtain a Spare. If the player hits target B or target C with his first ball he will close either one of the normally open switches B5 or C5, as the case may be. Then if he hits target A with his second delivery, he will have originated primary circuit S through switch A3. In either case, circuit S will continue along S to point PII] of rotary switch P (Figure 19D), the same as previously described in connection with primary circult one. However, since the spare occurred after one ball had been delivered, finger PFI has been advanced to point PII by the return of the first ball, as described above under the heading of Bali return. Therefore, circuit Scontinues to point PM and through finger PFI and along conductor SP to the spare relay SP. By energizing the coil of spare relay SP, the normally open switches SP6, SP2, and SP6 will close, and the normally closed switches SPI and SP5 will open; and the break-and-make switches SP3 and SP4. will change positions, whereby these switches are placed in positions to accommodate any secondary circuits affected by this Spare. This 'just described Spare circuit will hereinafter be referred to as "primary circuit two when referring to secondary circuits derived from the various scoring conditions of Figure 14.

As just mentioned, the pleted the moment the second ball hits the target, Therefore, as the ball returns, the contact fingers of rotary switch P are advanced to points PI2, P22 and P32, thereby breaking circuit S to relays SP and SPX through points PI I. Thus, circuit 0! is originated from current source'CS through contact point P22 and through contact finger PF2 and thence through the other switch point P22 and conductor O l down to the makeand-brcak switch SP-e of the spare relay SP. Since this spare relay SP has been energized over circuit SP, and is now locked up by the action of spare release relay SP3, the switch SP4 of the spare relay has changed from the normal posi-- tion shown to an engaged position against its front contact, whereby circuit OI is diverted to conductor 06' which leads to point N28 and point N2I of rotary switch N. As previously described, rotary switch N temporarily records the strikes. If no strikes have been made in the previous frame, then the contact fingers NFI, N'F2, NF3 and NFA will be at their home positions, as shown. Therefore, circuit '06 will continue from switch point N28 through contact fingers NFL and over conductor JS' to solenoid JS of frame "Spare circuit is comcounting switch J, which will thus be actuated to tally a frame. The energization of solenoid JS will close switch JSI and thereby complete circuit H, thereby causing all latched targets to be released by the energization of their releasing coils H. In addition, circuit P will be energized so as to actuate the reset PR of rotary switch P, thereby causing this rotary switch to be rotary switch, and the restoration of such switch to its home position indicates that the second ball of that frame has been bowled.

Spare relay SP and its companion release relay SPR are the interlocking type. When spare relay SP is energized, the armature of release relay 'SPR snaps outwardly and latches the armature of relay SP in its attracted position. Therefore, spare relay SP remains in an actuated position after it has been die-energized by the moving of finger PF! of rotary switch P from points PM to PIZ. This spare relay SP will remain in this latched position until release relay SPR has been energized, as will be later described under the heading of Scoring.

It will be noted that whenever spare relay SP latched in its engaged position, a circuit is completed through switch SP to tally board light SPM over conductor SPM'. The illumination of this tally board light will show on the tally panel 42 that the player still has a Spare to be added to his score, pending what he accomplishes on his next delivery. Attention is also directed to the fact that each time circuit SP is completed to spare relay SP and its auxiliary relay SPX, a branch of this circuit designated SPF is also energized, this branch circuit extending up to the tally board light SPF which illuminates the large indicating area I I bearing the word Spare (Fig. 3),

Primary circuit three, the miss circuit the player has hit target E with his first delivery,

thereby extinguishing three pin-lights, as shown in Figure 13E. The returning ball engages the trip switches FE! and F232 in the return trough and advances the fingers of ball counting switch P one point, as previously described. assume that on the second delivery the player hits target B, which normally would extinguish seven pin-lights (Figure 133), but which now only extinguishes five, because the previous striking of target E has extinguished pin-lights Hence, it will be seen that the player has failed to eatinguish all ten join-lights in two deliveries. The second ball returns, as previously described, and advances the fingers of ball counting switch P one more point.

Fingers PFZ of this rotary switch P (Figure 19D) now rest on points P22. Thus, a circuit is originated from current source CS through the switch arm and through the switch points and continues along conductor O! the spare relay SP. Inasmuch as the player did not make a spare in the bowling of these two balls, he failed to energize this spare relay SP. Hence, switch SP4 is in its normal closed position, i. e, closed against its back contacts. Accord- Let us to switch SP4 of 22 ingly, circuit OI then continues along conductor MR to the relay MR (Figure 19C) which controls the motorized rotary switch M that counts the pins, etc., as I shall later describe under Scoring.

This just described miss circuit will hereafter be referred to as primary circuit three when referring to the secondary circuits derived from the various scoring conditions of Figure 14.

Scoring accomscoring embodiment of my improved bowling game. This chart is laid out to represent ten frames of bowling, and is so designed as to permitthe counting and tallying to be illustrated as the game progresses.

Spares permitting a strike in the tenth frame, it will be possible to describe how the game, instead of shutting off, will permit the player to make the two extra deliveries to which he is entitled, in

to the relay MR, and thereby enersaid relay, a make-and-break is caused to change position from back contact MR2 switch finger MP in a counter-clockwise direc- 19C). This switch finger MP has connection with a source of curto come to rest in the home position illustrated out of engagement with the stationary contacts. We have previously assumed that the player has hit targets E and B with his two deliveries, whereby eight lights are extinguished (Figure 13) and normally open switches Bi and El are caused advances coun- 2, 4, 5, 8., 9, 3, 1, the outer upper 'pleted to the release coils H of order in which the counting of the extinguished pin-lights is accomplished. This permits overlapping circuits to score simultaneously, thus giving a count identical to the number of pinlights extinguished. In this instance in which we assumed target switches El and BI to be closed, switch finger MF contacts circuit E at points 9--6-I0 of row 14. The circuit E. is completed through target switch EI and thence through the common line KS which continues to the advancing solenoid KS of the units counting switch K (Figure 19B). Rotary switch K is the common stepping type that rotates its common contact fingers KF one point each time the actuating solenoid KS is impulsed, the switch being also equipped with an electrical reset KR that permits the switch fingers, through spring action, to return to rest position instantly each time that the coil of reset KR is energized.

Referring back to the motor driven switch M (Figure 190) the finger lvlF also contacts circuit B at points 2--4-5-5-9-l-iil of row r2, thus completing this circuit B through switch BI to the common return circuit KS and thence to advancing solenoid KS of the units counting switch K. Inasmuch as pin-lights p p and p which are normally extinguished by hitting target E, and pin-lights 10 19 p 10 p" and 10 normally extinguished by hitting target B,

have both pin-lights p and p in common, they are so arranged on the disk that the finger M will contact points 9 and II) of each row simul taneously, thereby delivering only one impulse for point 9, and only one impulse for point Iii. Therefore, in addition vancing solenoid KS will receive through circuits KS one impulse by way of circuit E. (for point e) and will receive five impulses by way of circuit B (for points 2, 4, 5, 8 and 1), thus making a ,7 total of eight, which conforms with the number of pin-1ights extinguished. Rotary switch '2; (Figure 1913) having been advanced these eight points, remains in this tallied position, with a finger KF resting on point K8. This completes a circuit from current source CS through contact finger KF and thence through. stationary contact point E8 to the light KLE on tally board 42.

Contact finger MF of this motor driven switch M in advancing in a counter-clockwise direction also engages contacts MI, M2, M3, M4, M5, MT and M8 successively on the right side of the stationary disk. Contacts MI through M5 deal with secondary circuits arising'later, and will be discussed as they are encountered. Upon reaching contact M6, a circuit M6 is originated from current source CS through contact finger MF and through conductor M6 to the normally closed switch D03 of relay DC (Figure 19D). Switch D03 is then against a back contact, and permits the circuit ME to be continued through this back contact and thence to point P32 of the ball counting rotary switch P. Inasmuch as the fingers of this rotary switch P have been advanced two points or steps by the ball returning twice through the return trough, switch finger PF3 now rests on switch points P32,'thu.s enabling circuits M5 to be completed through this switch finger to circuit .18. Circuit JS in turn leads to advancing solenoid JS of rotary switch J (Figure 1913). By

to points s and It, a

in its normal position closed thus impulsing advancing solenoid J S,'the aux- V the circuit H to be comthe targets, thus to normal posi iliary switch J SI causes restoring all actuated targets tions. Concurrently therewith, the fingers JFI and JFZ of the frame counting rotary switch J are advanced one point, thus completing a circuit from current source CS through switch finger JFI and through switch point .12 to the light J2 on the tally board. This frame counting rotary switch J remains in this position until impulsed again, thus leaving light J 2' illuminated behind frame 2 of the tally panel, indicating the game is ready for the second frame. By energizing the coil of reset relay PR by way of circuit H, the ball counting rotary switch P is allowed to return to its normal position, thereby removing the two-balls-delivered position established by the miss. Referring back to Figure 19C, upon reaching switch point Ml, contact finger MP of the motorized switch lvi' completes the circuit Ml to motor release relay MRR. By energizing this motor release relay MRR the break-and-make switch MRRI is caused to change from the normal position shown to an engaged position in contact with a front contact, thereby breaking circuit MRI leading to relay MR over its own switch MRI and, likewise, breaking the circuit to the motor of the motorized switch over conductor MRI. Thus, the motor of this switch is stopped, and the coasting interval of the switch is such as to cause the switch finger MF to continue past stationary switch point M3 and thereby complete a half turn, so that the contact finger is returned to its original diametrical position with the opposite ends of the switch finger reversed. Also switch MRI, having been returned to its normal position (in engagement with back contact MR2) permits a circuit to be established from source CS through the back contact of switch MRRI, conductor MRI switch MRI and its back contact BIL-R12 and through conductor MR2 to the control contacts is of the ball delivery circuit '55, which ball delivery circuit was previously described in connection with Figure 6.

Referring back to frame 2 of Figure 14, we have assumed that the'player makes a strike in this frame. Under the previous description of a strike, we find that circuit S is completed to the strike relay ST (primary circuit one), which in turn completes circuit OOI from trip switch FEI to the actuating coil NA of the temporary strike recording rotary switch N (Figure 1913), thus causing switch fingers NFI, NFZ, NFE and NF4 to advance. By impulsing the actuating coil NA, the auxiliary switch NAI is caused to' to be closed, thereby completing circuit II to the release coils H and hence restoring any actuated targets to their normal positions. By so restoring the targets, circuit S will be'broken at pin-light switches A3 and B5 (or C5), thereby de-energizing the strike relay ST and causing strike relay switches STI, STZ and'STii to return to their normal positions. Inasmuch as reset circuit PR is joined to release coil circuit H (Figure 1913) this reset circuit is also complete-cl to energize reset coil PR of the ball counting rotary switch P, but no resetting occurs because the preceding frame, 7

Images