US1722784A - Bowling-game apparatus - Google Patents

Description

July 30, 1929.

R. S. BLAIR BOWLING GAME APPARATUS Filed Dec. 15, 1925 tra ROBERT S. BLAIR, OF STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT.

Application filed December 13, 1923. Serial No. 680,356.

This invention relates to game apparatus and with regard to its more specilic features to apparatus for games ot the nature ot that ordinarily known as ten pins or bowling.

One of the objects of the invention'is to provide apparatus of the above nature adapted to operate in an etlicient and highly satisfactory manner. Another object is toprovide such apparatus simple and inexpensive in construction. Another object is to provide an apparatus compactly disposed and conveniently operated wherein the characteristics and features of the game ot bowling may be substantially realized. Another object is to provide a practical art relating to games ot the above nature, which is simple and effective and conveniently adaptable to practical. operation. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part pointed out hereinatter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations el elements, arrangements of parts and art, all as will be exemplilied in the structure to be liere- 1 inafter described and the scope ot the application of which will be indicated in the tollowing claims. y

In the accompanying drawing in which are shown one, or more, various possible embodiments oi the several mechanical features oit this invention,

Figure 1 is a plan view of the apparatus partly cut away.

Figure 2 is a side elevation certain parts being removed to better disclose the strueture.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary section taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure el is a detached elevation of certain part-s shown in Figures 1 and 2; and

Figure 5 is a side elevation showing modilied form oi parts shown in Figure 2.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views oli the drawing.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, there is shown an open lended traine comprising a back-stop and side walls 11, only onejot which is shown in Figure 1, the other thereot being similar in construction and similarly disposed opposite thereto. lNithin this frame are-suspended pins as will be later described, adapted to torni targets for a bail or the like delivered through the open forward end ot the trame opposite t-he back-stop 10.

As shown in Figure 2, the frame is adapted to rest upon any suitable flooring such as shown at 12. T he term pins as employed herein is to be interpreted to mean a member or device ot' the general nature of the pins employed in bowling alleys.

Extending upwardly troni each ot the side walls 11 are standards 13 shown as three in number. Across the upper ends of the-standards 13 are secured longitudinally extending trame members lil, between which extend four cross members 15. Between the ttorwaid ends of the longitudinal members 14 extends a fifth cross member 16 having a greater vertical dimension than the members Alor a purpose which will be hereinafter set forth.

From the lower surface of the cross members 15 are suspended the pins at such a height as to clear the floor 12 substantially as shown in Figure 2. These pins 17 are preterably ten in number and are positioned and spaced as shown in Figure 1 in triangular tormation and in substantially the relative positions in which the" pins of an ordinary bowling alley are set up. The pins may be of any desired size and together with the other parts ot the apparatus are preferably so sized and relatively positioned as to reproduce in proportion the dimensions and spacing ot the pins in the ordinary regulation bowling alley. '.lhese pins 17 may be formed of any desired material, but preferably and most conveniently they are made of sheet metal. rilheir lower portions have the shape ot' the ordinary bowling pin and between this part and the upper ends of the pins are provided crooked portions 18 within which are mounted, as upon brackets 19, pivot pins 2O thus positioned so as to tall substantially on the line ot the axis of the pins. 1n the embodiment shown in Figure 2, each ypin is provided at its upper end with a spherical head 21 about which is clamped a bracket 22 secured to a cross member 15 as at 23.` rlhis bracket 22 has a spherical inner surface within which the head 21 loosely rests and is preterably shaped substantially as shown in Figure 2 to encase slightly more than half the diameter et the head. In this manner the bracket 22 pivotally supports the pin 17, but permits it to swing upwardly in a rearward direction or at an angle to rearward direction. The normal path of the ball for which the pins 17 are the targets, will be considered as seen that the mounting or suspension of the pins above described permits them a free swinging action about their upper pivoted ends at an angle to either side of this normal direction of movement of the ball. rl`hus if the ball strikes a pin on the side, the pin is permitted to swing in the direction of the blow and in such swinging may strike other pins causing them to swing in the direction lin which they ar struck.

Connected to the pivot pin 2O of each pin 17 is a curved arm 24 arching upwardly and rearwardly around the head of the pin and connected at its upper end through a spring 25 to a cable 26, an individual cable and spring being provided for each pin. Each cable 26 passes over an individual pulley 27 mounted upon an upright 23 projecting from the cross member below which the pin is suspended. rlhe' cables 26 extending forwardly are all joined toa common cable 29 which passes over a pulley 30 secured to the upper surface of the forward cross member 16. Upon the outer surface of part 16, as better shown in Figure 4, is a lever 31 pivotedas at 32 and to which the end of the cable 29 is connected as at 33. The lever 31 is capable of swinging upwardly and downwardly about its pivot 32 and is held in substantially horizontal position by a catch 34.

The respective pulleys 27 of each of the pins 17 are so positioned that a line through the pivot pin 20 and tangent to the surface of the pulley passes forwardly of the center of the head 21 of the pin when the pin is hanging in normal upright position. When the lever 31 is in engagement with the catch 34, tension is placed in the spring 25 through the cables 29 and 26. Now it will be seen that when the lower portions of a pin 17 is swung rearwardly or angularly as above described to a suflicient extent to move the line between the pivot 20 and the surface of the pulley 27 rearwardly of the center of the head 21, the spring` 25, through the member 24, will quickly draw the pin 17 upwardly in the direction in which its lower portion is moved and out of operative position. As shown in Figure 3, brackets 22 are preferably provided with the lower diverging portions 221, partially embracing the neck of the pin 17 to reduce the tendency of the pin to swing sideways of its own accord and yet permit the pin substantially free swinging in the direction in which it is apt to be struck.

The pins having been drawn upwardly by the springs 25, as above described, the lever 31 is now released from its catch 34 and upon being swung upwardly releases the tension in the springs 25 and permits the pins to drop back to normal operative position. The lever 31 being swung upwardly again and into engagement with the catch 34 tension is again placed in the springs 25 andthe pins are all reset.

Referring now to Figure 5 of the drawing, there is shown another embodiment of the mounting of the pins. The pin 35 is provided with a. flat top 36 which rests against the lower flat surface of a bracket 37 secured to the cross member 15. The pin 35 is provided with a crooked portion 38 as are the pins 17 and with a pivot member 39. Connected to the pivot 39 is a member 40 arching upwardly over the end of the pin and connected through a spring 25 to the cable 26. In this instance the pulley 27 mounted upon the upright 23 and over which the cable 26 passes is so positioned that a line tangent to the pulley surface and passing through the pivot 39 passes through the center of the flat top 36 of the pin. Thus when tension is placed in the spring 25, by means of the cable 26, the pin 35 is pulled vertically v face 36 of the pin in proper operative relation. The pin 35 having been drawn upwardly by the spring 25, the tension in the spring is now released as has been described and the pindrops back to vertical rposition. being guided in such movement by the part 41. By again placing the spring 25 under tension by means of the lever 31, the pin is reset in normal operative position. It will. be understood that by cnormal operative position of the pins as employed herein is meant an upright or erect position and that when the pins are upset they are removed from this position.

It will be 'seen that this latter suspension of the pins provides a substantially universal suspension therefor and permits them to swing in any direction in which they may be struck. Upon such swinging they are quickly drawn upwardly and out of opera'- tive position. If the ball strikes a pin, or if a pin is struck by another pin, in an angular direction, or even in a direction transversely to the normal path of the ball toward the pins, the pinstruck will be drawn upwardly in that direction. In this manner the standard game of bowling wherein the pins are simply stood on end and are free to move in the direction in which they are struck, is substantially reproduced. Further the pins are reset with the greatest ease. Y

The above apparatus is adapted for use under varying conditions, but may be employed particularly advantageously as an indoor game. It is desirable therefore that the ball employed be of suoli nature as not to harm or mar the floor or other woodwork in case it is accidentally thrown outside the confines of the side walls 1l. The form of ball preferably employed is such as is shown in Figure 2 comprising an outer covering l2 of a suitable fabric such as heavy canvas, for example, and filled with a suitable material such as dried beans. Such arball may be employed indoors without danger of harmful results. Furthermore this ball when projected along the floor or other surface has a motion which is ordinarily a combined sliding and rolling. This is particularly advantageous for indoor use. Many advantages are attained also by employing a ball of this nature which assumes a sliding motion only. The ball may be conveniently handled and curved as is the ordinary bowling ball and the suspension of the pins permitting them to swing in a plurality of directions renders possible the malring of strikes and spares as in the ordinary game of bowling. As has been mentioned before the pins are preferably sized and spaced in substantial proportion to those of the ordi-V nary bowling alley. The distance from which the balls are thrown may also be suitably proportioned in accordance therewith; for example, the` length of the regulation bowling alley being sixty feet, if the pins are made one-half sized according to this invention the distance from which the balls are thrown may be thirty feet.

From the above it will be seen that there is herein provided an apparatus which embodies the features of this invention and attains the Vobjects thereof and that the same is well adapted to the requirements of practical use.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, and as the art might be varied all without departing from the scope of the invention, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth is vto be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim as my invention l. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a pin pivotally suspended adj acent its upper end, the lower portion thereof hanging freely, and means connected with an intermediate portion of said pin adapted upon movement of said lower portion to swing said pin upwardly about said pivoted upper end.

2. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a pin pivoted at its upper end and hanging in normally upright operative position, and resilient means connected to said pin normally tending to hold it in operative position and adapted upon movement of the lower portion thereof to swing said pin about its pivot upwardly out of operative position.

3. ln apparatus of the class described, in combination, a pin having a pivoted mounting adjacent its upper end and positioned in normally upright operative position, and means connected to said pin below said pivot normally tending to hold said pin in operative position and adapted upon movement of the lower portion thereof to swing said pin about its pivot upwardly out of operative position.

4. ln apparatus of the class described, in combination, a pin pivotally suspended adj acent its upper end, the lower portion thereof hanging freely, a member connected to said pin at an intermediate portion and arching upwardly over said pivoted end, and means connected to said member tending to draw said pin in an upward direction. v

5. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a pin pivoted adjacent it-s upper end and hanging in normally upright operative position, a member connected to said pin below said pivot and arching upwardly over the upper end of said pin, and a spring urging said member upwardly, said member being shaped and positioned to normally hold said pin in operative position and adapted upon movement of the lower portion of said pin to swing the same upwardly about its pivot and out of operative position.

6. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a pin pivoted adjacent its upper end and hanging in normally upright operative position, a member connected to said pin below said pivot and extending upwardly over the upper end of said pin, a spring urging said member upwardly, said member be' ing shaped and positioned to normally hold said pin in operative position and adapted uponmovement of the lower portion thereof to swing the same upwardly about its pivot out of operative position, and means for releasing the tension in said spring.

7. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a plurality of pins each pivoted adjacent its upper end and hanging in normally upright operative position, resilient means connected to each of said pins below the pivots there-of tending normally to hold them in operative position and adapted upon movement of the lower ends thereof to draw the same upwardly about their pivots out of operative position, and a device for releasing the tension jointly in each of said resilient means to permit said pins to swing back into operative position.

8. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a pin universally pivoted adj acent its upper end and hanging in normally upright operative position, and means connected to said pin tending normally to hold it in operative position and adapted upon movement of the lower portion thereof to swing said pin about said pivot upwardly out of operative position and hold it in the posit-ion into which it swings.

9. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a plurality of spaced pins, means tending to swing said pins upwardly about axes adjacent their upper ends as they are struck and adapted to hold them in the position into which they have been swung, and means adapted simultaneously to render ineffective said iirst means and permit the pins to swing downwardly into upright posi tion.

l0. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a pin, means mounting said pin with its lower end above the floor and permitting it to swing upwardly, means exerting a pull on said pin normally acting substantially through its support and acting upon the pin at a point beneath that about which it swings and exerting its pull substantially through said last point whereby said pull is normally effective to swing the pin, and means adapted to render said pulling means ineffective after said pin has been swung upwardly. y

ll. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a pin, means mounting the pin in position to permit it to swing in any rearward direction, means normally exerting a pull upon said pin through the point about which it is adapted to swing and adapted to hold it in the position into which it has upwardly been swung, and means adapted to render said last-mentioned means ineffective.

12. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a frame work adapted to rest removably upon the floor and comprising side walls and a backstop, supporting means extending upwardly from said frame work, and a plurality of pins suspended from said supporting means between said side walls and adapted to form a target for a ball, said pins being mounted to swing upwardly in any rearward direction.

13. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a pin adapted to form a target, suspended from its upper portion, and adapted to swing upwardly and means adapted to prevent displacement of said upper port-ion as said pin swings.

14;. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a pin mounted for upward swinging out of operative position, supported adjacent its upper end and yielding means pulling said pin upwardly against said support, acting along a line adapted normally to restrain said pin from swinging In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 12th day oi' December, 1923.

ROBERT BLAIR.

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