CA1296750C - Bowling lane refinishing apparatus - Google Patents

Bowling lane refinishing apparatus

Info

Publication number
CA1296750C
CA1296750C CA000552792A CA552792A CA1296750C CA 1296750 C CA1296750 C CA 1296750C CA 000552792 A CA000552792 A CA 000552792A CA 552792 A CA552792 A CA 552792A CA 1296750 C CA1296750 C CA 1296750C
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
lane
tape
top surface
roll
adhesive
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
CA000552792A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
James R. Suiter
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US06/940,428 external-priority patent/US4795152A/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1296750C publication Critical patent/CA1296750C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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  • Application Of Or Painting With Fluid Materials (AREA)
  • Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A film of material is extended over a bowling lane surface in a dry state and adhered thereto. The film is preferably an adhesive backed plastic film which may be either transparent or opaque, as preferred. The plastic film is preferably provided in a strip of such a width that no trimming is necessary after the material is applied.

Description

75~

The present invention is diracted generally to an apparatus for quickly and easily refinishing a smooth flat surface subject to wear and more particularly to an apparatus for re~inishing a bowling lane by applying lane finish in a dry state, as co~pared to a liquid state as is now done.
Effective maintenance of ~odern bowling lanes conventionally entails resanding of the wood lane surface every other year together with applying a liquid finish coat onto the resanded surface. In the off years between sandings, additional liquid finish might be applied to the lanes where needed.
This periodic re~inishing generally represents a substantial expense for the bowling lane operator.
Because special equipment and material are required and uniformity in the thickness of the applied top coating is very important, such refini~hing is generally beyond the capability of regular bowling lane attendants and maintenance personnel. Independent professionals are generally employed for this service.
In addition to tha expense, the conventianal sanding and refinishing operations are time cansuming and generally reguire the lane~ being worked on to be taken out of service for at least a few days.
Another disadvantage of conventional bowling land refinishing is the practical impossibility of applying a perfectly uniform finish coat even if done by a professional. Finally, the periodic resanding will eventually cause the lane surface to be worn down to the point where the nails securin~ the lane bed boards together become exposed, at which point the lane is generally rendered inoperative so as to require replacement.
Accordingly, a primary object of the invention is to provide an improved material for refinishing a flat surface subject to wear.

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Another object of the invention is to provide an improvPd bowling lane refinishiny material.
Another object is to provide a replacement finish comprised of a transparent film applied with uniform thickness onto a bowling lane.
Another object is to provide a bowling lane refinishing apparatus wherein multiple finish coats may be applied onto the lane.
Another object is to provide an improved bowling lane refinishing apparatus wherein a thin top coat layer may be simply rolled onto the exposed surface of the bowling lane.
Another object is to provide an antislide fllm to the pin deck to prevent pins from sliding and to protect the pin deck.
Another object is to provide a finish to the pin deck approach for a uniform sliding effect.
Finally, another object of the invention is to provide a bowling lane refinishing material which is inexpensive and efficient and which affords a rugged uniform top surface.
Resurfacing or refinishing a bowling lane is substantially simplified according to the present invention wherein a film layer of material i9 applied onto the bowling lane surface and securely adhered thereto. The film is preferably an adhesive backed material so that no separate step of applying the adhesive is required. ~ikewi~e, the film is preferably provided in a width corresponding to the width of the bowling lane so that a single strip o~ the material covers the lane and no trimming of the lateral edges is required except on narrow lanes under 42 inches wide.
The applied layer of material may either be transparent to expose the natural beauty of the wood surface or be opaque with a printed pattern to cover old worn surfaces.
This invention consists in the construction~

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arrangements and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a foreshorten~d partial perspective view of a bowling lane with a roll of an adhesive-backed topcoat material being supported on~an applicator apparatus and being applied to the lane surface;
Figure 2 is a foreshortened top plan view of a pair of bowling lanes including the refinishing tape applicator apparatus on one lane thereof;
Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion o~ a bowling lane, including a relatively thick coat applied to the top surface thereof; and Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a bowling lane showing a relatively thin coat applied to the top sur~ace thereof.
Figure 1 illustrates a tape applicator apparatus 10 supported on a conventional wood bowling lane 12 that is situated between a pair of parallel spaced apart gutters 14. The conventional bowling lane is 42" wide and has a top surface formed by a plurality of interconnected wood leveling strips 16. Each board has an oppositely facing tongue 18 and a groove 20 ~or a precise nested fit with adjacent boards. Nails 22 secur~ the lane boards together.
Referring to Figure 2, the conventional bowling lane furthermore includes an elongated approach area 24 that terminates at the ~oul line 26 which marks the one end of the Iane. The first 16 feet extending from the foul line is referred to as the ~Iheaders~ and includes the lane markings designating various transverse positions on the lane. At the opposite end of the lane, pins are adapted to be set up on what is referred to as the "pin deck" in a pattern as indicated by the markings 30. Whereas the headers 27 are generally formed of hard maple, the remainder of the lane may be formed of a softer pine with the exception of the pin deck which is co~monly made of maple.
The present invention is directed to a novel coating for the bowling lane, which coating is provided as a roll 32 of flexible material or, more precisely, a plastic filmO "Flexible" is here used to describe the bendability of the tape but is not intended to imply any degree of stretchability. It is preferred that the material be as stretch resistant as possible and that it be resistant to both impact and wear.
The plastic film 34 ls preferably provided a3 a roll of adheslve-backed transparent ~llm. The ~ilm may be supported on apparatus 10 on a cross shaft 36 carried by a pair of support arms 38 which converge upwardly from a frame side member 40 which extends between front and rear rollers 42 and 44. A raised handle structure 46 facilitate~ movement of the apparatus 10 along the bowling lane 12.
In operation, a roll 32 of the transparent coating material is rotatably supported on apparatus 10 and the apparatu~ is positioned ad;acent to one end of the bowling lane 12. The ~ilm is pulled downwardly, transversely aliqned with the lane 1~ and pressed against the lane. Thereafter, it i5 only necessary to advance the apparatus 12 along the length of the lane whereby the transparent film or flexible material 34 is unrolled with the adhesive side 48 facing downwardly so that it can be pressed against the lane's surface by a rear roller 44.
Whereas the film applicator apparatus 10 is believed to greatly facilitate the application of the plastic film, the film could simply be manually unrolled onto the lane's surface withouk any apparatus.
Alternatively, the plastic film 34 could be provided in flat sheets with a removable backing sheet to cover the adhesive side. The film may be applied on a ~reshly lZ~7~

sanded wooden lane or onto the e~isting finish on such a lane or onto a synthetic lane.
The film i5 preferably of a width to exactly conform to the width of the bowling lane so that it covers the entire lane without any need for trimming any excess. ~he film may be applied along the ~ull extent of the lane in a single strip, or headers may be covered with a different type of film than that which is extended from the headers to the pin deck For exampls, it may be desirable to provide the headers with film having mean~ for facilitating sliding movement of a bowling ball on the flexible layer 3~. This can be accomplished either by a very light oil finish or by forming the film of a material impregnated with silicone or the like. Likewise, a separate film may be applied to the pin deck for the antislide ~eature.
Furthermore, the film 34 may be applied as a relatively thin top coat, as ~hown in Figure 4, having a thickness on the order of 3-10 mils or as a substantially thicker protective coat having a thickness on the order of 10-20 mils, preferably for the pin deck, as illustrated in Figure 3. Whereas, a transparent tape is desirable for exposing the natural beauty of the wood lane, it may be desirable to cover a damaged or repaired lane surface with a film 34 which is opaque and exhibits a photographic top surface resembling a natural wood pattern and possibly including all of the conventional bowling lane markings.
Suitable materials ~or the film include plastic such as polyurethane, polyethylene, vinyl, polyester and ; *TEFLON materials and such nonpl~stic~ as fiberglass and other materials.
Whereas the adhesive-backed ilm is pre~erred for ease of application, it is contemplated that the adhesive could be independently applied to the film or to the lane's surface prior to applying a plain film thereto. An adhesive dispenser and roller applicator * Trad~ Mark '~,. ' .

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could be mounted on the apparatus 10 for uniformly applying the adhesive to the underside of ~he film or directly to the lane in response to advancing movements of the apparatus.
When it is desired to replace the top coat film 34, the previous coat can preferably be stripped from the lane easily by simply raising a corner, then one end and then pulling the entire strip off the lane.
It will be appreciated that the apparatus disclosed herein will find application on other surfaces than bowling lanes. The tapelike top coat of the invention would he a natural for finishing a shu~fleboard surface.
This type of surface treatment would also be ideal for high traf~ic areas such as in airports and commercial building hallways.
The tapelike top coat of the invention currently simplifies the maintenance of surfaces subject to wear and assures a finished top coat of a uniform thickness and material characteristics. Thus, there has been shown and descri~ed a bowling lane refinishing apparatus which acc~mplishes at least all of the stated objects.

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Claims (19)

1. In a complete bowling lane formed by a plurality of interconnected wood lane boards and having a substantially flat wood top surface, said lane including an approach, header section, pine section and pin deck, and an improved material for finishing the wood top surface of the bowling lane, the improvement comprising:
a uniform flexible film of transparent plastic material having a thickness of approximately 3 to 20 mils and covering the wood top surface of the bowling lane for at least a substantial portion of the length of the bowling lane, and a continuous layer of adhesive material disposed between said lane and flexible film, the adhesive material securely adhering said flexible film onto the wood top surface of the lane.
2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said flexible film has top and bottom surfaces and wherein said adhesive material is preapplied to the bottom surface of said flexible film which is, therefore, provided as an adhesive-backed material.
3. The improvement of claim 2 wherein said flexible film is made of an impact resistant and wear resistant material.
4. The improvement of claim 2 wherein at least an initial length of said flexible film includes means for facilitating sliding movement of a bowling ball on said flexible film.
5. The improvement of claim 4 wherein said means for facilitating sliding movement comprises a lubricant material impregnated into said flexible film.
6. On a floor having a flat top surface and an improved material for finishing the top surface of the floor, the improvement comprising:
at least one elongated sheet including a uniform flexible film of clear plastic material having a thickness between about three mils and about twenty mils and a continuous layer of adhesive material disposed between the top surface of the floor and the flexible film, the adhesive layer releasably adhering the flexible film onto the top surface of the floor.
7. A method of refinishing an existing wood top surface of a bowling lane formed by a plurality of interconnected wood leveling strips extending between spaced-apart gutters from a foul line adjoining an approach area to and including a pin deck on which bowling pins are to be set up, the method comprising, providing an adhesive material and a roll of a preformed flexible transparent tape having top and bottom surfaces, unrolling said roll of said flexible tape onto the top surface of the bowling lane to cover at least a substantial portion of the length of the lane, and causing said adhesive material to be interposed between the bottom surface of said flexible tape and the existing wood top surface of the lane, said adhesive being capable of securely adhering said flexible transparent tape onto the top surface of the lane.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein said adhesive material and roll of a preformed flexible transparent tape are provided together as a roll of an adhesive-backed tape.
9. The method of claim 7 wherein said causing step comprises applying said adhesive to the bottom surface of said preformed flexible transparent tape while unrolling said roll of the flexible transparent tape onto the bowling lane.
10. The method of claim 7 wherein said causing step comprises applying said adhesive to the existing wood top surface of the bowling lane prior to unrolling said roll of the preformed flexible transparent tape onto the bowling lane.
11. The method of claim 7 wherein providing said roll of a preformed flexible transparent tape further comprises providing said roll with a width substantially conforming to the width of the bowling lane.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein said unrolling step further comprises providing a roll dispensing apparatus including at least one applicator roller, supporting said roll of said preformed flexible transparent tape on said apparatus, simultaneously unrolling said roll of the flexible transparent tape in response to advancing movement of the apparatus tape in response to advancing movement of the apparatus along the bowling lane, and pressing said roller against the top surface of the unrolled flexible transparent tape to securely adhere it to the wood top surface of the bowling lane.
13. The method of claim 7 wherein said providing step includes providing a preformed flexible transparent tape having a thickness on the order of 3-4 mils.
14. A method of refinishing a top surface of a wood strip bowling lane having a width extending between spaced apart gutters and a length extending from a foul line to at least a pin deck, the method comprising:
unrolling a roll of preformed adhesive-backed flexible transparent tape along the length of the lane onto the top surface of the wood strips with the adhesive side down, the tape having a width substantially equal to the width of the lane, and pressing the flexible transparent tape against the lane to securely adhere the tape to the wood top surface of the lane.
15. The method of claim 8 wherein the flexible transparent tape has a thickness on the order of 3-4 mils.
16. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of pressing the tape against the lane comprises pressing the tape against the surface of the lane with a roller.
17. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of subsequently removing the transparent tape by raising one corner, then one end, and then pulling the entire tape off the lane.
18. A method of refinishing a top surface of a wood strip bowling lane having a width extending between spaced apart gutters and a length extending from a foul line to at least a pin deck, the method comprising:
rotably supporting a roll of adhesive backed flexible transparent tape on a frame provided with a roller, the widths of the tape and the roller being approximately equal to the width of the bowling lane;
pulling an end of the tape from the roll;
aligning the end of the tape transversely with the lane at one end of the lane, with the adhesive side of the tape facing downwardly:
moving the frame toward the other and of the lane such that the roller presses the tape against the wood top surface of the lane to securely adhere the tape to the lane.
19. A method of providing a durable wear resistant finish on a floor surface, the method comprising:
(a) providing at least one elongated flexible sheet wound on a roll, the sheet including a layer of clear plastic having a uniform thickness of between about three and about twenty mils and a layer of a contact adhesive secured to one side of the plastic layer;
(b) unrolling an outer end portion of the sheet from the roll;
(c) placing the outer end portion on the floor with the side having the adhesive layer facing down;

(d) aligning the end portion on a predetermined corresponding portion of the floor surface;
(e) unrolling a further amount of the sheet from the roll onto the floor so as to cover a predetermined total length dimension, with the adhesive layer of the sheet in contact with the floor surface; and (f) pressing the total length of sheet against the floor to securely adhere the sheet to the floor surface.
CA000552792A 1986-12-11 1987-11-25 Bowling lane refinishing apparatus Expired - Lifetime CA1296750C (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US940,428 1986-12-11
US06/940,428 US4795152A (en) 1986-06-06 1986-12-11 Bowling lane with transparent plastic film finishing layer

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1296750C true CA1296750C (en) 1992-03-03

Family

ID=25474819

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000552792A Expired - Lifetime CA1296750C (en) 1986-12-11 1987-11-25 Bowling lane refinishing apparatus

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA1296750C (en)

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