US3299775A - Apparatus for producing a permanent record of bowling game scores entered on a visual scoreboard - Google Patents

Description

R. L. MILLER APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A PERMANENT RECORD OF BOWLING GAME SCORES ENTERED ON A VISUAL SCOREBOARD Filed Aug. 27, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.2.

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ROBERT L. MILLER ATTORNEY w R. MILLER 3,299,775 APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A PERMANENT RECORD OF BOWLING GAME Jan. 24, 1967 SCORES ENTERED ON A VISUAL SCOREBOARD Filed Aug. 27, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIYllIllLl :NJ I l l wmmwo TIMER SCORING CIRCUITRY INVENTOR ROB RT L. MILLER ATTORNEY United States Patent APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A PERMANENT RECORD OF BOWLING GAME SCORES EN- TERED ON A VISUAL SCOREBOARD Robert L. Miller, Oimsted Fails, Ohio, assignor to Cleveland Trust Company, Cleveland, Ohio, rustee Filed Aug. 27, 1964, Ser. No. 392,458

3 Claims. (Cl. 88-24) This invention relates to an apparatus for individually entering on an automated scoreboard the frame-to-frame scores and ball results achieved during a bowling game such that at the completion of the game the entire scoreboard can be viewed and the history of the game reviewed including the running total in any frame as well as the ball results of any frame. More particularly, the invention relates to apparatus for producing a permanent record of such a scoreboard at the completion of a game.

Systems have now been devised for automatically computing scores in a bowling game and for displaying on an automated scoreboard the ball results of each ball rolled and the frame-to-frame scores as the game progresses. Such a scoreboard may be suspended above the alley so as to be easily viewed by the players, and is provided with a face plate divided into frame boxes each having ball results boxes therein. In this respect, it is designed to simulate, in appearance, a conventional bowling game score sheet. In each score box are openings, and behind these openings are means for displaying numbers or bowling game marks. One such arrangement, for example, may employ numbered wheels which are rotated to positions at the beginning of the game such that blanks are presented to the openings, but which may be selectively rotated to predetermined angular positions to make the desired number comprising the ball results or scores appear at the openings in successive frame boxes as the game progresses. Alternatively, shutters may be provided for each opening in the scoreboard, which shutters are closed until a score or ball result is entered.

Although the foregoing system provides means whereby a simulated scoreboard may be viewed during the progress of a game, it does not provide a permanent record of the frame-to-frame scores or ball results of each ball delivered at the completion of a game.

Accordingly, as an overall object, the present invention provides means for obtaining a permanent record of scores entered on an automated scoreboard which simulates in appearance a conventional bowling game score sheet.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide means for photographically reproducing the visual appearance of a scoreboard simulating a conventional bowling game score sheet.

The above and other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a pair of bowling alleys each having a scoreboard of the type described above and incorporating the means of the invention for photographically reproducing the appearance of the scoreboards at the completion of a game;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged illustration of one of the scoreboards shown in FIG. 1;

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FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the numbered wheels and actuating mechanism therefor utilized in the scoreboard of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a top view taken substantially along line IV -IV of FIG. 3.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, a pair of adjacent bowling alleys A and B are each provided with a pin deck 10 at the forward end of the alley and a foul line 12 at the opposite end. Ahead of each foul line 12 is an approach area 14; and between the approach areas 14 is a space 16, which space is occupied between the alleys A and B proper by gutters 18. In the usual case, a ball return, not shown, will also be provided, said ball return having a ball rack in the area 16. Behind each of the pin decks 10 is a pit, generally indicated at 19; and behind each pit is a backstop 2t).

Suspended above each alley A and B is a scoreboard 22, the scoreboards being identical for each alley A and B. With reference to FIG. 2, each scoreboard comprises a generally rectangular housing 24 having its forward face plate 26 scribed to simulate a conventional bowling game score sheet. Thus, the face plate 26 is scribed into ten frame columns 28. The frame columns, in turn, are divided into five player lines 30 extending transversely across the face plate 26. At the left end of the player lines 30 are spaces 32 adapted to receive the names of five players playing a bowling game. The names may be entered one below the other on a board, for example, which slides on guideways or the like, not shown, into the space identified by the spaces 32, it being understood that the scoreboards 22 will be of such height that the aforesaid board may be manually slipped into the area covered by spaces 32 without the need for a ladder or the like.

The arrangement of the frame columns 28 and player lines 30 divides the simulated score sheet on the face plate 26 into a plurality of frame boxes. Each frame box, in turn, is provided with two openings 34 and 36 arranged to display indicia representing the frame-to-frame scores and ball results, respectively, in each frame of the game.

One way in which the numerals or mark indicia representing ball results and scores may be entered in the openings 34 and 36 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. It will be assumed that the illustration given in FIGS. 3 and 4 is for the third frame of a game wherein three numbered wheels 38, 40 and 42 are mounted behind the opening 34. In a somewhat similar manner, two numbered wheels are positioned behind the ball results openings 36 in each of the first nine frames, only one of said numbered wheels 44 being shown in FIG. 3. In the tenth frame of the scoreboard it is, of course, necessary to provide three numbered wheels corresponding to wheel 44 shown in FIG. 3 since in the tenth frame it is possible to achieve a bonus ball.

Each of the numbered wheels 38, 40 and 42 is freely rotatable on a stationary shaft 46. Similarly, wheel 44 and its adjacent ball results wheel are mounted for free rotation on a stationary shaft 48. The peripheries of the score wheels 38, 40 and 42 are each provided with eleven peripheral facets or faces. Ten of the faces have the numerals 0 through 9 thereon; while the eleventh is blank. Thus, when no score is to be entered in a particular frame box, the opening 34 for that frame box will appear blank. In a somewhat similar manner, each of the ball results wheels 44 is provided with facets or faces around its periphery, one of which is blank and the remainder of which have the numerals 1 through 9 thereon as well as indicia representing marks achieved in a bowling game. Thus, before a frame is played in a game, the ball results wheel 44, for example, will be rotated to a position where its blank face or facet is within the opening 36.

As best shown in FIG. 4, each of the numbered score wheels 38, 40 and 42 is provided on one face with a gear 54 which, in turn, meshes with a cooperating gear 56 on a shaft 58 which is continually rotated by means of a motor 60. Each gear 56 is provided with an integral hub portion 62 and is slideably fitted over the shaft 58. On one side of the gear 56 is a collar 64 secured to the shaft 58 so as to rotate therewith; and, similarly, on the other side of the gear 56 and spaced from the hub portion 62 is a second collar 66 also secured to shaft 58 so as to rotate therewith. Interposed between the collar 66 and hub portion 62 of gear 56 is a leaf spring 68; and it will be appreciated that the arrangement just described comprises a slip clutch arrangement which causes the gear 56 and its associated numbered wheel 38, 40 or 42 to rotate unless the gear 56 is positively stopped such that the shaft 58 will rotate while sliding on the inner periphery of the gear '56.

In a somewhat similar manner, each of the numbered ball results wheels 44 is provided with a gear 70 which meshes with a gear 72 connected through a slip clutch arrangement, not shown, to a continuously rotating shaft 74. While the numbered score and ball results wheels are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 for a single frame only, it will be appreciated that the score wheels for the first player lines, for example, are all mounted on the common shaft 46 and that the gears for all of the score wheels for a player line are driven through slip clutch arrangements mounted on the single continuously rotating shaft 58. Thus, only a single drive motor 60 is required for the numbered score wheels in each frame line. Similarly, a single drive motor is required for all of the numbered ball results wheels in each player line.

Rotation of the gears 56 for the numbered score wheels 38, 40 and 42 and, hence, rotation of the score wheels themselves is controlled, by means of a pair of solenoids 76 and 78. Provided on one face of each of the gears 56, as best shown in FIG. 3, is a projection 80 which is normally engaged. by a member 82 connected to the solenoid 76 and adapted to be pulled out of engagement with the projection 80 upon energization of solenoid 76. Also provided in the face of each gear 56 are a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings or detents 84 each of which is adapted to be engaged by an element 86 which is selectively driven into engagement with one face of the gear 56 by the solenoid 7 8. In the operation of the numbered wheels shown in FIG. 4, for example, each wheel may be returned to a position where its blank face 50 is in the opening 34 by deenergizing solenoid 78 such that the gear 56 will rotate to a position where the projection 8t engages the element 82. At this point, both the gear 56 and its associated score wheel must stop with its blank face 50 in opening 34. When a score is achieved, the solenoid 76 will be energized to pull the element 82 out of engagement with projection 86, thereby permitting the gear 56 to rotate. The gear 56 will then continue to rotate until, in timed sequence, the solenoid 78 is energized to drive the element 86 into an associated one of the openings or detents 84, thereby stopping the score wheel at the proper number within the opening 34. The operation of the ball results wheels 44 is the same; except that in this case each wheel is controlled by a pair of solenoids 83 and 90.

The solenoids '76, 78, 88 and 96 are controlled by circuitry 91 such as that shown and described in US. Patent No. 3,124,355. By reference to that application, it will be seen that suitable switching may be provided for connecting the ball results and score wheels of a particular frame box for a particular player to the scoring circuitry.

The player line which is activated at any one time is determined by depression of an associated push-button of two sets of five pushbuttons 92 and 94 in accordance with the teaching of U.S. Patent No. 3,124,355. The pushbuttons 92 and 94 are located on a console 36 as shown in FIG. 1 between the approach areas 114. Whenever a bowler prepares to bowl, he will press his associated pushbutton in the group 92 or 94, whereupon the scoring circuitry described in US. Patent No. 3,124,355 will be connected to the scoring wheels for his player line, and specifically the score and ball results wheels for the frame in that player line which he is about to play.

In accordance with the present invention, one or more cameras 98 and 1% are provided for photographically reproducing the appearance of the scoreboard 22 at the completion of a bowling game. referably, the cameras 98 and 1% are simple box cameras of fixed focal length and employ film of the type which does not require processing of a negative, but which enables the photographic reproduction to be obtained within a matter of minutes, such as that sold by the Polaroid Corporation. The camera will be automatically actuated to open its shutter at the completion of a game by the scoring circuitry identified in FIG. 4 by reference numeral 91 and described in the aforesaid US Patent No. 3,124,355. By reference to that patent, it will be seen that at the completion of a game, a reset relay 636 is actuated. Actuation of this relay may be used to actuate a solenoid 102 (FIG. 4) which trips the shutter 161 of camera 160, for example, to photographically reproduce the visual appearance of scoreboard 22. Following actuation of solenoid 102, the relay 636 of Patent No. 3,124,355 may be used also within the skill of the art to actuate solenoids 78 and 96 to reset all of the numbered wheels herein such that the scoreboard again appears blank. If desired, the signal used to actuate solenoid 102 may also be applied to a timer 164 which advances the film and presents the completed photograph for severance after lapse of a predetermined time following actuation of the shutter.

Although the invention has been shown in connection with a certain specific embodiment, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the :art that various changes in form and arrangement of parts may be made to suit requirements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In this respect, it will be apparent that the number of cameras employed to obtain reproductions of one or more scoreboards can be varied to suit requirements. Likewise, the positioning of the scoreboards may be one above the other rather than side-by-side as shown herein.

I claim as my invention:

1. In apparatus for visually displaying scores achieved in a bowling game and for producing a permanent record of the frame-to-frame scores; the combination of a scoreboard having a front face simulating a bowling game score sheet and having frame score boxes thereon, means for visually entering the scores in their respective boxes on said front face as each frame is played in a game, and stationary means spaced from the front face of the scoreboard for photographically reproducing the visual image of the entire front face of the scoreboard on a single stationary photosensitive film surface at the completion of a bowling game with the scores entered thereon to produce a permanent record of the same.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 and including means for removing from view the visual indicia representing the frame-to-frame scores at the completion of a game such that the scoreboard can be used for a succeeding game.

3. In apparatus for automatically displaying ball results and scores achieved in a bowling game and for producing a permanent record of the frame-to-frame scores and the ball results aclL'eved in each frame; the combination of a scoreboard having a front face arranged to simulate a bowling game score sheet and having frame score boxes and ball results boxes in each frame box, means 5 including mechanically rotatable numbered wheels for visually entering the ball results and scores in their respective boxes on said front face as each frame is played in a game, stationary means exterior to the scoreboard and spaced from said front face for photographically reproducing the visual appearance of the front face of scoreboard on a single stationary photosensitive film surface .at the completion of a bowling game with the ball results and scores entered thereon by appropriate rotation of said rotatable numbered wheels to produce a permanent record of the same, and means for rotating said numbered wheels at the completion of a game after the visual ap- 6 pearance of the scoreboard has been photographically reproduced whereby no scores or ball results visually appear on the scoreboard preparatory to a succeeding game.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/1940 Hineline 8824 JOHN M. HORAN, Primary Examiner. NORTON ANSHER, Examiner.

R. A. WINTERCORN, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. IN APPARATUS FOR VISUALLY DISPLAYING SCORES ACHIEVED IN A BOWLING GAME AND FOR PRODUCING A PERMANENT RECORD OF THE FRAME-TO-FRAME SCORES; THE COMBINATION OF A SCOREBOARD HAVING A FRONT FACE SIMULATING A BOWLING GAME SCORE SHEET AND HAVING FRAME SCORE BOXES THEREON, MEANS FOR VISUALLY ENTERING THE SCORES IN THEIR RESPECTIVE BOXES ON SAID FRONT FACE AS EACH FRAME IS PLAYED IN A GAME, AND STATIONARY MEANS SPACED FROM THE FRONT FACE OF THE SCOREBOARD FOR PHOTOGRAPHICALLY REPRODUCING THE VISUAL IMAGE OF THE ENTIRE FRONT FACE OF THE SCOREBOARD ON A SINGLE STATIONARY PHOTOSENSITIVE FILM SURFACE AT THE COMPLETION OF A BOWLING GAME WITH THE SCORES ENTERED THEREON TO PRODUCE A PERMANENT RECORD OF THE SAME.

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