US2015428A - Automatic pin-setter - Google Patents

Description

7 p 24, 1935- I E. HEDENskoo 2,015,428.v

AUTOMATIC PIN SETTER Filed Dec. 14, 1931 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jwewraq fR/vssr H501: .fgr PER A; oe/vsy P 1935- I E. HEDENSKOQG 2,015,428

AUTOMATIC P-IN SETTER Filed Dec. '14, 1931 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ez/vssr -aslv Shana IN vE/vroe Sept. 24, 1935.

is. HED ENSKOOG AUTOMATIC PIN SETTER Filed Dec. 14, 1951 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 ERNEJT HEOENSKOOG I //v VENT? BM W qrrazlvs' Y Sept. 24, 1935- E. HEDENSKOOG AUTOMATIC PIN SETTER 10 Sheet'-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 14, 1931 Per 24, 1935-. E. EDENsKoo AUTOMATIC PIN SETTER Filed D60. 14, .1931

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ff J2 p 24, 1935- 'E. HEDENSKOOG AUTOMATIC PIN SETTER 4frae/vfy Patented Sept. 24, 1935 UNITED STATES,

2.015.428 an'romno rm-snr'mn Ernest 'Hedenskoog, Mnskegon Mich assi'gnor to The Brunswick-Balke-Collender omp ny,

Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Appllcation December 14,

1931, Serial No. 580,835

This invention relates to an improved automatic pinsetter for bowling alleys and has for one of its principal objects the provision of a machine which will dispense with the services of the pin boy, while at the same time performing, mechantcally and automatically, the operations of remov ing the pins from'a bowling alley and resetting the same in position upon the alley for further play. One of the important objects of this invention is to provide a machine which will remove fallen pins, known as "dead wood from the alley, while at the same time retaining upright pins upon the alley for additional play.

Another important object of this invention resides in theprovision of a device for automatically returning the bowling balls to the player while at the same time resetting the pins,.and includes mechanism by which the pins, after falling into or being delivered to the pit are automaticallyconveyed to the resetting mechanis i and dis-- tributedthere-on in position so that. when reset they are in proper position onthe alley for play.

This operationis. accomplished by the player from the playingend of the alley by merely shifting a lever, pullinga chain, pushing a button or the or push-buttons, one for removing dead wood and re-setting part of the pins and the other for sweeping the alley and re-setting all of the pins.

A further object of. the invention is the provision, in an automatic pinsetter, 'of a setting 'frame for containing a full number of pins to be set in position upon the-alley, a storage maga zine above the setting frame which empties another full set of pins into the setting frame at the proper time, and means to convey the pins from the bowling alley pitto the storage magazine. I vStill another object of this invention residesin the provision of means by which the pins are always presented to the storage magazine with their buttends foremost, and in proper'order.

until ten pins are'the'rein, whereupon further delivery is automatically halted. V An object of the invention is the provision of. means by which the pins in the storage magazines are automatically delivered to the pinsetter frame whenever the pinsetter frame is empty and when the storage magazine has been filled.

- Another object of the invention is to provide img', and handling in and: for

erly their movements.

invention is to-provide a machine which will set.

player's position'and which includes devices wholly under the control of the player whiclr will remove the dead wood from the alley and reset live pins and which will also clear the alley and position a new set of pins in proper place upon the alley bed, and which furthermore will perform each and all of. these operations more quickly and accurately than they can be performed by manual operations.

Another and further important object of the invention resides in the provision of safety devices whereby when the machine-has been set by the player to perform a certain operationor while it isperforming such operation, it will be impossible for the player to either deliberately or accidentally start the machine upon another operation out of sequence, whereby jamming or faulty handling of' the desired movements isavoided.

One object of the invention resides in the provision of improved means for sweeping the pins from the alley whereby the sweep itself moves first in an approximately vertical direction down to the alley bed and then horizontally along the alley bed to clear the same, whereupon it reverses these movements to'resume its original position. 2 like, there being only two of such operating levers Another new feature of the invention resides in v a remote control means whereby anypin or pins or combination thereof may be'retained in playingposition on the alley.

- Anotherobiectis the provision of means where- 36 byif the operator inadvertently pulls one of the operating cords when the machine is not in posi v tion to reset pins or sweep dead wood, the sweep will be trlpped allowing it todescend by gravitythrough a portion of its initial vertical move-" ment when it automatically stops and remains in that position until the machine has completed its cycle or has delivered a full complement of pins to the se ter frame where pen the sweep thenautomatically resumes it's ovement, sweeping 4 the bed and returning to its normal position'allowing further play.

Another and still further important object ,of'the invention is the provision of a novel means which means are entirely separate and-distinct from the means whichdelive'r pins from the pit tothe magazine and whereby the balls .are' much more quickly retum'ed, thereby expeditl 'A still furtherobiect off the invention resides 'the 'improved-elevators for receivingthe pins the which lift them from pitand which elevators automatically deliver either'side-of the PR- to IQ;

a central chute whence they are directed into the rotary storage magazine. Other and further important objects of the invention will be apparent from the disclosures g in the'accompanying drawings and following specification.

-The invention, in a preferred form, is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully 1 described. In the drawings- Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved automatic pinsetting machine of this invention, parts being omitted. v

Figure 2 is a front .view of the machine. Figure 3isatopplanofthedevica' Figure 4 is a top plan of the opened gear box and the associated power shafts and power distributing elements comprising the main operatln8 features of the invention.

go I Figure 5 is a view of one side of the gear housing illustrated in Figure 4, showinfl Particularly the cams and levers which control the action of the pin setting and sweeping mechanism; and also the magnet control switch for the .pinsetter frame.

Figure 6 is a view of the other side ofthe gear 0 theretoandincluding a view ofthepartswhichoperate the shifting means for the pin magazine. 11 is a side elevation of the pin receiving and delivering drum showing the same as associated with the ball delivery means.

Figure 12 is a sectional view on the line l 2 i2 -oi"Fi'gure ll, andshowing alaothepin pit with cushioning elements.

Figure 13,1; a. view particularly the' operating arms for the sweep'and pin. setter 5 which are on the front of the gear box, and the safety lock-means. V

Figure 14 is a detail view showing the electrical connections for selectively retaining any desired pin or pins inplaying position on the alley. I

58 Figure 15 is a side elevation of thedevice shown in Figure 14,- additional. elements being illustrated. I I

dfigure'ldisatopplanviewofthemanually operated control means'for the pin selecting devioeshowninlflgures Hand 15,. v

l igmel'lisasideviewofthecontrolmeans showninFigurelo."-' F. Figure 18 isasectionalview oftheapparatus shown inl 'igure'li, the line l8.il of Figure 14.

l 'igur'elflisadetailsectionalviewtakenon me linen-li d Figure 4 looking in the direction,

10 1'lgure ;20 is anelevation-ofthe hsndles'and associated control wires, showing thesameasadaptedtobeconnectedtotheirassociated'partsillustratedinl'igurefi.

Figure 21 fli0'l .the sequenced-operations. 76- whereby thepin-retainingmeans of the maga- 'balls zine is moved from pin-dropping to pin-holding Figure 22 is a diagrammatic view showing the electrical connections and associated parts. Y

Figure 23 is an enlarged detail view of certain 5 portions of Figure 9. As shown in the drawings- The reference numeral lll'indicates generally, the bed of a bowling alley or the like, having side guards II and provided' with .mechanism-j supporting frame elements I2 and I3 as best shown in Figure 1. The pins I4 are placed on the alley bed-i0 by the improved apparatus of this inventionand in the usual progress of the game are knocked down in whole or in part by means of a ball Ii.

In the ordinary operation of the game of bowling the pins are collected by a pin boy in the pit of each alley, who places thel-balls on a track such as that shown at I for returii to the player and who removes the fallen pins called dead wood, which may remain on the alley or in the gutters alongside the alley, and who sets the pins as required. 4

I The pin boys usually work with a setter which comprises a triangular frame such as that illustrated at i1 and in the prior practice the boy placed the pins into buckets therein, while the setter is at rest above the alley bed, and then operates suitable mechanism to first depress the setter, deposit .the pins on the bed and then elevate the setter out of the way of the pins and emachinev of this invention will automatically perform the operations of delivering the '5 ball froni the pit to the returntrack and setting the pins in the proper positionon' the alley bed after the bed has been cleared, which operation is also accomplished by themachine at the will of the operator. I o

7 The machine will also retain for further play any-pins not knocked down by the first ball,

'while at the same. time it will'remove fallen pins operated by means ofdnving chains or the like II, which chains are driven from a main source ofpower such as a motor or a power shaft 2i.

Associated-with each each of the pin receiving and returning drums I8 is a ballreturning element (Figures 11 and 12), each of which comprises essentially an annular rim 22 mounted for free rotation on a corresponding inner rim 2! and driven by means of a belt or the like 24. These ball returning wheels are also continuously operatedand when a ball falls against the edge thereof, the edge being preferably covered with rubber or the like, the ball is immediately forced upward- .ly between the rotating edge and a corresponding .pair of rubbercovered rails 28. The contact beetween the balls and the railsforces the balls upwardly and finally deiivers them onto a section ofthetracklfiasectionbeingadjacenttothef 7 upper end of each of the ball delivering rims.

In the meantime the pins which have fallen I intothereeessesin-thepindeliveringdrums ll (Figure '7) are carried upwardly and delivered onto a-platform 21 (Figures 2 and 12). Pivotally mounted beneath each platform 21 is a shutter 28 having an extension 29. This shutter 28 normally retains the pin M on the platform 21 until a pinelevator; as shown at 30, in its downward motion ing chute 32 into which each elevator alternately" delivers pins. Each elevator is driven by means of a chain 33 which runs over a wheel 34, the wheel in turn being mounted on'a shaft 35, which shaft has a gear 36 thereon, the gear 36 being in a housing 31 and in mesh with a segmental gear to the top of its supporting rails 3|, whereupon v any pin resting on the elevator is delivered to the chute 32 by means of the depression of a shutter 44 forming part of the elevator and which normally retains the .pin "on the sloping floor 30. The shutter is connected by means of a series of levers 45 to a trip arm 46 which contacts with a pin or projection 41 mounted adjacent to the end of the chute 32. When the trip arm 46 strikes the pin 41 the shutter 44 is depressed alv lowing the pin H to drop into the chute 32.

The chute has'a pair-of parallel springs 48 mounted along its sides and adjacent the bottom upon which the pins slide, it being found that the pins will slide more freely on springs such as these than on slide rods or the like.-

Pin upsetting means in the form of a loop 49 (Figure 1) is pivotally mounted in the bottom of the chute 48 and in the event that a pin is deposited in the chute with its, head end first the weight of the head will cause it to fall into the loop 49, whereupon the further action of grayity will cause the pin to tumble over, and thus: it will arrive at thebottom of the chute butt end foremost. In the event that the pin is delivered to the topof the chute with its butt end foremost, the upseting element-48 will have no effect. Each pin, therefore, will emerge from the end of the chute 32 with its butt end foremost, and is delivered into a respective pin receiving pocket I toward the chute, as shown at 5| in Figures 1 and 3.

As each pin enters the magazine its weight de presses'a plate 52 (Figures 3, 9, and 10) mounted latch,'as shown at 58. This latch operates against a corresponding notch inra lever 51 pivotallymounted at 58 and having its upper end normally impelled forwardly by a helical spring 59. As soon as the latch 56 is lifted out ofthenotch in the arm 51, whenever a pin strikes the plate 52, the spring 59 operates the arm 51 to 5' engage the two corresponding membersof a. clutch 60 mounted on a shaft 6| which leads to the pin magazine 50. The shaft 6| has a beveled gear 62fixed thereon beneath the magazine 50.

and the underface of the magazine is provided 10 with an annular correspondinglybeveled gear wheel 63 with which the beveled gear 62 is continuously in mesh. The relation of the beveled gear 62 to the number of teeth in the annular gear wheel 63 isten to one so that one revolution 5 of the clutch 60 and itsassociated shaft 6| will rotate the pin magazine through one tenth of a revolution. v

This happens at each depression of the plate 52, or, in other words,'upon the entry of each 20 individual pin into the magazine. The last of the ten pins enters the magazine through the slide 5| leading to the center pocket and in the meantime the other nine' are retained in the pockets by means of the projecting ends 64 of a pin retain- 25 ing and dropping plate 65 as shown in Figures 9 and 10. .After the tenth pin has entered the chute 5| its butt end comes into contact with the lower end 66 of a pivoted stop, the forward end 61 of which stop is then depressed across the 30 face of the chute so that it prevents any more pins from entering the magazine. When this occurs further rotation of the magazine is, of course, stopped until the pins have been delivered from the magazine to the pinsetter. (See Fig- 3 In order to insure that the stop is always open to allow the last pin to enter the magazine, a cam element 68 is projected at the end ofga U- shaped frame 69 extending forwardly from the 40 chute, and adapted to ride under this cam element 68 and open-the shutter 61 is an operating pin 10 which is fitted in an opening in a support 1|. p

When the setter frame i1 is empty it will, upon 4 its upward movement and a corresponding motion of its operating shaft ||9,operate a trip 12, (Figure 4), which in turn instigates the movement of a single-revolution clutch 13 mounted on the side of the gear housing and operated 50 by an'auxiliary power shaft inside the gear housing. One revolution of this clutch serves to' operate a connecting rod 14 which in turn, through a bell crank lever 15, moves a link 16 rearwardly. This in turnoperates a bell crank 55 lever 11, the bell crank lever having at its outer' end a trip Yelement '|8 which slides .behinda' cammed latch 19 on a pivoted release bar 8ll. (Fi e 9).

So long as the trip element is behind the release bar the-pin holding plate ,65 is constrained to move along with the rotating magazine and pins are thereby retained in the pockets of the magazine.

So far as the central or tenth pin is concerned, there is provided a stop element 8| which in Fig .ure 9 is shown in closed position in dotted lines.

In the position-shown in dotted lines-the pin in the magazine isrestrained from dropping into the setter frame along with the other nine pins which 70 are in the peripheralpockets of the magazine andv held in position by means of the extensions 64 on the plate 65. V

' A pin 82. is mounted on'a pivotally positioned arm 83, which arm supports the stop 8|, and be- '75 neath the pin stop shutter 8| and upon due rotation of the magazine and its associated parts ates a plunger 92, the end of the plunger impinging against a vane 93 connected by a link 94 to a bell crank lever 95 connected to the extending end of the arm 53 (Figures 1 and 10). This action serves to trip the single revolution clutch previously described which again starts the vrotation of the pin magazine.

At the same time movement of the outer end of the arm 83, upon which the stop shutter 8I is mounted, rotatably shifts the plate 65 with relation to the magazine 58, allowing the nine outer pins to drop from the pockets, this pin delivering position being illustrated in Figure 9. The end of the arm 83 is bifurcated to make proper connection with a bolt or rivet on the plate 84.

After the pins have been dropped, a cam 84 mounted in the under-face of the magazine housing rides under the end of the pivoted release bar 80 allowing the nose 18 of the bell crank lever 11 to be released from the latch 19. In order that the parts may resume a normal position I whereby the pins are again supported in the rotating magazine, a lug 85 is mounted on the under-face of the plate 65'and adapted to contact with this lug is a retarding element 86, pivotally mounted at 81 on the frame of the machine. When the lug 85 contacts with the retarding element 86, the plate 85 is restrained from moving with the magazine until a cam 88 on the outer face of the gear wheel of the magazine housing rides under the pivoted end 89 of the retarder 88 allowing it to move away from the outer surface of the gear housing sufliciently to permit passage of the lug 85 through a slot 90 in the retarder element 88. When this occurs the plate I55 again moves in unison with the maga zine housing 50 and any pins dropping intothe magazine are retained therein.

On account of the fact that the arc of movement restrained by the retarder-88 is just one twentieth of the periphery of theplate'85, each} end 84 is moved just that far, as shown by:the dotted lines in Figure9.

After the pins have been deposited, in thefset ter frame and it is desired to position them upon the alley for-play, the operatorpulls a cord,

- operates a button 'or the like at his end of the alley (Figure 20); this in turn operates acable or cord 98, this being connected at its lower'end to a lever 91 fixed on a shaft 98, which shaft is positioned in the gear housing 55 (Figure 4). Rotation of this shaft engages a clutch 99 which is mounted on a shaft I80 which shaft has on its outer end an arm IM to the end of which is pivotally connected an 'eccentrically operating arm I02 (Figure 3), the forward end of which arm is pivotally connected to the upper end of a sweeper operating arm I03, this being pivotally mounted at m.

Parallel to this arm I03 is an arm I85 (Figure 1) mounted at I06 to the frame of the machine and having its lower end pivotally connected by a bell crank lever I I0 to a link I01, the outer end ,plish'ed by means of the gear I1I.

of which is pivotally connected to a sweeper plate or the like I08. Also pivotally mounted on the sweeper plate is link I09 which is parallel to the link I01, the inner 'end of which last named link is pivotally connected to the center of the bell 5 crank H0 at the pivotal point of juncture between it and the lower end'of the arm I03.

A supporting link rod, or wire, in a form of a strain relief element is shown at III, the lower end being connected to the top of the sweeper 10 plate I08 and the upper end being'mounted adjacent the pivotal point of connection of the arm I03 with the frame. The clutch which operates the sweeper shaft I 00 is a single revolution clutch and therefore one rotation of the shaft will move 15 the sweeper downwardly to the alley,.rearwardly along the alley to sweep all pins off the same, thence forwardly along the alley and upwardly to its original position.

At the sametime that the clutch 99 is being 2 engaged a clutch II! on the shaft 98 is also engaged (Figure'4), this clutch in turn'normally making a single revolution and rotating an eccentric plate I I3 (Figure 5) which has mounted on its periphery an annularv eccentric connecting 25 rod H4, this in turn being connected at its lower end by a link I6I to a plate II5 which has a slot II6 therein. This plate extends upwardly and parallel to the eccentric connecting'rod. In the lower end of the slot is mounted the end of a link 30 H1 which is connected at its forward end to an extension I I8 on the shaft I I9 which operates the setter frame, by which the pins are deposited on the alley.

When the lower end of the connecting rod H1 5 is in the bottom of the slot II 6 a fairly limited movement is imparted to the shaft H9 for the setter frame, and as a consequence the arms I20 extending forwardly from this shaft will move the setter frame downwardly through only a portion 40. of its travel.

By referring toFigures 4 and 5 it will be noted that gear 42, helicalgear I10, bevel gear I16. and worm gear I11 are 'all mounted on the central shaft 6| which is constantly driven by the worm 45" g I18 connected -directly to the motor. I The gear, I10 drives the cross-shaft which has the gears the housing 55. The driving connection between 50 the gear I10 and the aforesaid shaft is accom- The gear I12 meshes with the gear I13 and drives the-crossw'sha'ft which operates the setting frame by means of the eccentric I I3.

The gear I 14 is in mesh with the gear I15, which last named gear is mounted on. the shaft I08. This shaft operates the sweeper.

In order to obtain a new set of pins, the operator or player pullsthe'wire 98 whereupon the 60 clutch 99 is engaged and this actuates' the sweeper apparatus, shaft I00, which shaft has a cam I19 thereon (Figure 5) and at a certain point in the rotation of this cam the lever I88 is raised. as illustrated, which lever includes an extension. 60 The extension in turn engages the pin I8I on the connecting link II1 whereupon this connecting link H1 is raised to topmost position so that the pin at its further end will fit into the notch I82 at the top of the slot H6. After this has. been accomplished the clutch I I2 is engaged by operation of the cam I83, lever I84, and shaft 98 (Figure 4). The shaft 98 has a shifter yoke I85 thereon which engages the clutch II2 whereupon 75 with the pin setter frame thereon is accordingly I depressed to its lowermost position, as shown in I the dot and dash lines in Figure 5. This lowermost position of the spotting frame is at the alley '10 bed and allows of the positioning of a new set of pins upon the bed,

, In order to remove dead wood or fallen pins from the alley while certain of the tending, pins are still in play, the operator pulls e wire I21 which immediately engages the clutch II 2 whereupon the arm H5 is similarly actuated, with, however, the end of the link-I I in its lowermost position, shown by the full lines in Figure 5, whereupon the arm I which supports the setter frame 20, will be shifted to its middle position, shown in the dotted lines in Figure 5, which middleposition brings the setting frame down to the top of the pins and accordingly raises the standing pins from the alley bed on its return stroke.

" When the setter frame is moved only slightly downwardly, as explained above, it will not conta t with the alley and no pins will be deposited on the alley. However, mounted on the setter frame, as shown in Figureji, are ten magnets, preferably electro-magnets, I2I, and'in the head of each pin isa soft iron plug. The setter frame is movedsumciently downwardly by the action of the link II'I in the lower end of the slot IIO so that it will contact with the tops of any pins standing on the alley. The action ofthe magnets, which are automatically excited by this movement through-a-contact switch I22 and corresponding connections I23 (Figure 5)'-,' will then- 1 lift'the pins fromthe alley; when the setter frame '40 is again moved'up upon the completion of the rotation of the eccentricplate II3. This is done that'any pins left standingon thealley are removed out ofJzhe way of the'sweeper arm and the sweeper arm is allowed to clean the alley of fallenpins known as dead wood". The standing pins are then re-deposited on the alley for further play. Whenever the beginning of a play, the operator pullsthe handle I26 connected to a corresponding wire or. cord I21 (Figures 5 and 20) and this in turn operates a release lever I20 (Figures 4 and 13).

' This release lever is positioned on the end of .the

. ment of thisplatwill impart acorrespondingly greater movement to the link II], the bell-crank lever I I8, and associated parts, including the setter frame supporting links' I20, whereby the setter frame links will be moved to the lowermost posi- 7 tion, as shown in the dotted lines in Figure 5,- these in turn dropping thegsetter; frame to the-alley I bed and depositing afull set of pins thereon. The

exact actionof the setterframe'in depositing the pins upon the alley bed'uponcontact therewithbefore the sweeper-arm I08 sweeps the alley,"so

sition, as best shown in dotted lines in 'Figure 17,

it is desired to position an entirely j 50 ..new set of pins-upon the al1ey,as, for example, i whenallthe pins have been knocked down or at which shaft operates the setter frame.-

in Figure 14, anda pull on the cable I46, 0

is old in the art and will not be here described inany detail. jBeforethis depositing of the pins 'occurs, however, 'thesweeper-is operated in the usual manner to clear the alley of any fallen or other'pins which might have been thereon. 1

The blockbetween the lower ends of the arms I I20 isfor the purpose offlockin'g them against accidental operation when the machine is passing, through one or the other sequences of movement as hereinbefore' described. Therefore, if a -player in the excitement of the game pulls the 10 handie',l26 after he has rolled-the first ball along the alley, and has failed to knock down all the pins, and it becomes necessary to replace the pins not knocked down by the first ball, this is readily accomplished without requiring an at-ji 'tendant to manually place the pins upon the alley bed, by simply locking the magnetic control for the setter frame at the player's end of the'alley, wherebyv any desired pin or pins may be removed enabling the correction of errors handle instead of the handle for the removal of dead wood, also permits the player to practice by bowling against certain combinations of pins .or :5

against any special pin .in a certain position. This is best shown in Figures 14'to 1'7 inclusive and comprises essentially a plurality of electrical contact arms I24,' as best shown in Figure 14,

there being ten of these, one for each pin-con-ao trolling magnet, thesearms being adapted for individual energization of the magnets l2l of the tter frame.- The means for operating thisdevic ismreferably positioned won the newel post of the all-return rail adjacent the player's end 85 of the alley, as best shown in Figures 16 and 17.

An operating handle I40 is mounted on a plate at the top 0 the newel post, adapted to be rotated ina ci ular band Hi, this band having ten notches therein corresponding to the num-'4o her ofpins. The handle is pivoted on the plate as at I42 and can bemoved into an upwarwpofor rotation around.the band. To the inner end of the handleis attached an operating cord or 45 0 cable, I45, and this passes through a sleeve I43 I which is fastened to the handle plate which sleeve extends downwardly through the newel. post, ter- .fminating in a'sheave or. the like I44. A cable' I40 leads from this sheave and extends beneath 50 the floor ofsthe alley to the apparatus illustrated in Figure 14,-, which is mounted on a convenient portion of the mechanism below the shaft II 9,

The cable I40 is 'attachedto an ope ti I34 which extends longitudinally through device for controlling the magnets, as best sho count -of a corresponding rotation of th s I40, movesthe rod Il4,through'the magnet ting mechanism' for a distance corresponding the are through which the handle I40 has moved. The pull on the cable is counteracted by means of a helical spring I41 mounted on,

outer end of the rod and adjustably maintained a. in position thereon, by means of a nut or the like I48. The magnet control setting lever is mounted on the rod I34, which rod is square in cross-section-and slidably mounted in suitable bearings I40 which are rotatably positioned in platesv I50 forming supporting ends or a housing for this magnet control mechanism. p as Mounted on the rod I34 andadapted to slide therewith within the confines of the-plates I00 is aswitch setting leveri. The end of this I with a corresponding nbtchin the end of the bell- 1r I52 and m.

lever is adapted to move over the upper ends, is again moved upwardly by operation of the of a row of switch operating pins I58, of which setter frame, the shaft upon which the plate I55 there are ten, corresponding in number to the is mounted is rotated, and integral with this number of bowling pins. The cord or cable I45, plate I59 is a right-angle extension I51 the end which is tightened by depression of the handle of which fits under corresponding extensions on I III on the newel post, is connected at its farther e P s I" whereby an pw d P on end to the outer end of a link II (Figures 14 the rod I3I results in an outward movement of and-l5), the inner end of which is mounted on the push-rods I35, allowing the leaf spring the rod I34, as best shown in Figure 15, and up- -switchesaifl to return the pins III to normal ward movement bf the cable I45 will result in op uit position. the rotation of the rod I35 around its axis and Th u t for. the ma n s pr f a ly a corresponding depression of the extension I 33 o a b y 8 4 other Source thereon. of direct current, which can be supplied as de- Accordingly a turning movement hf the handle sired Convenient I 43 through a portioii of its arc of motion, and A switch I 31 is provided for making the initial its depression into ohe or more of the slots in current Connection." this being p ea y the circular plate I ll, will result, first, in a cor- 08m this 0am being initially rotated Startresponding longitudinal movement of th rod ed by means of a lever- I22 (Figure 5) when the m with respect to the plates I50 and the switch ma s usedfor d w d y. w uifim elements 'therebetween, and second, a depression this switch is eng 8 of the handle into the same, causing correspond-' It is p s energizing ce m n t ing depression ofthe latch element I33 against by m a (If the P P duc the particular push-rod over which it happens Spohdinfl D -l t efl' e W e P setter to be n;- t t particular point in t slidable frame reaches the bottom of its shorter travei movement; this in turn'depresses one of the leaf ihithe deed o a the other me8hete Springs t t 4 mmmted in the housing being unenergized or dead. Upward movement I50, which thereupon makes an electrical conthe name will then w it ithe P t t between t mnerends of t binding posts corresponding to the energized magnets, and the sweeper arms the remainder. If, therefore, the

new-set handle has beenpullerl when the dead wood operations should, have been performed, the desired pins, only, may be positioned upon the alley by a shifting of the handle II into the slots correspondingthereto and a pulling of the dead wood operating cord or handle.

It is possible with the arrangement Just described to leave desired individual circuits ready I for completion during the dead wood operation, so that repeated shots may be made at the same combination of standing pins in practice, it be- 40 tends longitudinally over n the pins in such a ing only necessary that after each ball has been position as to simurtaheously Contact all their rolled along the alley bed a. new set of pins he heads while at the s me t1me allowing of a com deposited and the dead wood button subsequenttact therewith of th latch member I33, and this i Pressed. to remove those desiredplate is fastene upon or. forms part of a rod The operation of h mach he Presupmses \the or shaft which is fitted into suitable bearings in use 9 from twenty twenty-three Pins, the endplates' I and has mounted at its outer being either 011 the alley in th Pit, in the I end an operating bell-crank'lever 0.. The outer elevamrs- The cam opens h Better and the end of this lever is connected by means of a contenth Plh closes the l' thereby euewih! necting-rod Hi *to the outer end of an arm I32 many as threeexm Pm! to remain in the chute, 60 mounted on the shaft m, which shaft operates in m 1 and 211mm! 1 the pin se tter frame. twenty-three plhez' I An upward movement of the link I3I causes The is W h h the necessary a corresponding depression of the plate I58, power and t machine is then lf ope!" whereby'ali of the pins I 68 areiorced into cur- The Player takes his Posmeh eh the rent closing 'position,'as shown in Figure 18, and plflyers d o the alley and if no pins are upon consequently all'of the magnets in the setter the ehey bed he Pull! the new-861i and e frameare excited into pin-lifting position. This which, thrwsh the mechammrrevlouslv e: action is necessary when the setter frame moves scrihedxchuses thesweehel' hhide hedeseehd downwardly to remove dead wood from the alley end sweep the alley that it 15 eleel' as hereinbefore described, while at the same time p d balls. e p setter. then deretaining upright pins upontlie alley for further Seends' and deposits *1 Set Of D 119 th Spo sv play, s 1 in the alleypeg and returns-tonormal'upward i In Figure 1'5 the'spotting frame shaft h position. The prayer then rolls a ball along thein its lowermost position, whereby all the magalley bed, knockifigdow'mall or some of the pins. netic contacts are locked. I If he knocks down all of the pin's,.this is known It will be evident from an inspection of Figure as a strlke and affords a certainscoring total. 15 thatpperation of the individual pin setting ,If. on the other hand, only someof the .pins are and retaining elements .through the cord or cable knocked down, this is known as. a split and I45, while at the same time rotatingthe siiiiiift the player then has the privilege of rolling anor rod I3Q around'its axis, depresses a link I54 other ball at the pins left standing. However connected thereto by meansof an eccentric arm" it is-of course necessary to first-clear the alley I55 and forces a.latch I55 into locking position 30f any fallen pins which might accidentally remain thereon To accompl sh this the player pulls the lever or handle attached to the cable A series' of springs I3! is provided in the rear of the housing I50. Each of these sprin'gsoperates against a push-rod I36, which, when any one of the pins I is depressed by action of the lever I33, rides, under the enlarged head of the pins I68 and retains the same in depressed position. All of the pins I 58 and I35 are slidably mounted in a .suitable retaining elementli'l (Figure 18).

In addition to the element. I33 which indi vidually depresses the pins III, a plate I53 excrank lever I 60. Whenmhowever', the rod I3I '10. normal position the s tter frame again descends to replace the lifted pin in position upon the alley bed'from which they were lifted, after which it returns to normal levated osition; The player may then, contin e the play. 1 n

1 Meanwhile the drum l8 and the elevators and 3i carry the pins from the pit to the chute 33, whence they are delivered to the rotating movements to cause the sweep to resume its original position, together with an automatic safety means for halting the operation cf-the sweep if motion thereof has been instigated out of propgxl' siquence, said meansincluding a retractable 5.'In an automatic pin setterfor'bowling al- -leys, meansfor setting the pins on the alley, means for; sweeping the fallen pins oi! the alley, means for retaining any upright pins. in posil tion for further play, separate operating means at'the players end of the alley for separately initiating the pin setter movement and the dead wood sweepinsrand-resetting movement, an automatic block for preventing the initiation of 5 one operation while another is incomplete d, and I means for optical-1y warningv the player and magazine -50, the magazine having previously gblocking the alley in the event that one of the been emptied to deliver another set of pins'into the setter frame, this having been accomplished upon the next upward movement of the setter frame after the original depositing of a full set of pins upon the alley bed.

At the same time any balls in the pit are deliver d upwardly, by means of the ball-return eieme ts 22' to 26, inclusive, to the ball return rails l6, whence they roll by gravity back to the players end of the alley. Y

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details in construction varied throughout a wide range without departing from the principles of this inventiongand I therefore douiot purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than as necessitatedby the prior art. a

I claim as my invention- 1. An automatic bowling pin setter, including 7 means for depositing a set of pins on an alley, Q removing fallen pins and replacing any upright pins, and a conveyor for delivering fallen pins in horizontal position from the pit to the setting mechanism, said conveyor including a pair of alternately operating reciprocating elevator platforms, togetherwith eans at the players end of the alley for selecfi v ely instigatng the operation of the pin setting or removing means.

2. In an automatic pin setter, the combination of a setting frame, a combined ball and pin re-' turn comprising a'continuously rotated wheel, a

rim on the wheeliorcontbct of balls and recesses "fin the'wheel for-reception of pins and a set of I stationaryuails associated therewi and means controlled by theplayer for removing fallen pins from'the alley and resetting'live pins.

3,-1n. an "automatic pin setter, the,combinav tion ofa setting frame, a ball return comprising va continuously,rotated wheel and a set of staf tionary rails associated therewith, means controlled by the player for removing fallen pins from the alley and resetting live pins, and ad- .,diticnal means including bell crank levers for clearing. the alley'and positioning a new set of pins upon,the bed, together with safety means for preventing the: accidental initiation of one operation while another operation is taking place, said safety means :including a blackbetween the ends of the bellcrank le vers.

4. In an automatic bowling pin' setter, 'the combination of improved means for sweeping the 76 pins from the alley, (meansior operating the same, comprising :a'shaft and lever connection I for movingtthe sweep first-in. an approximately vertical direction downwardly and thence hori- -zontally along the. alley bed to clear the same,

'Tb and additional elements for reversing these operating mechanisms is initiated while themrachine is pe tions. i 6. Bowling mechanism, including pirr assembling means for intermittently collecting the pins in a circular formation having a center pin in alignment with the axis of the triangularly re- 25 lated pin positions, setting means for receiving the pins in triangular'formation from the cirrforming the other cycle-of opera- 26 cular formation, and means for delivering the pins from the settingmeans to playing position.

7. Automatic pin setting mechanism for bowl- 30 ing alleys, including a setter frame, pin assembling means therefor, a ball collector and conveyor means for returning the balls to playing position, -and a, common operating means for-the ball collector and pin assembling means, the ball 3 collecting means including a constantly rotated circular frame, a fixed semi-circular frame adjacent the rotatable frame and concentric there-' with, and friction means on 'the edges of the frames for gripping balls and rolling same be-l? tween the frames. 1|

8. Automatic'pin setting mechanism for bowl-, ing alleys, including a setter frame, pin assembling means therefor, a ball collector and con-' veyor means for returning the balls 'to playing position, and a'common operating means for the ball collector and pin assembling means, the ball collecting means including a constantly rotated circular frame, a fixed semi-circular frame adjacent the rotatable frame and.- concentric therewith, friction means on the edges of th frames for gr.pping balls and rolling Qsame betw en theframes, and delivery rails associated with said frames. I 9. Automatic pin setting mechanism for bowiing alleys, including a setter frame, pin assembling means therefor, a ball collector and. conveyor means for returning the balls to playing position, and a common operating meansfor the ball collector and pin assembling means, the ball collecting means including a constantly rotated circular frame, a fixed semi-circular frame adia centthe rotatai'a le frame and-concentric therewith, friction means on the'edges of the frames for gripping baIIs and r'olii'ng same between the frames, and delivery rails associated with said N frames,-said delivery rails leading to the players, end of the alley. f

10. In apin's'etting machine foribowlin'g alleys, 0 the combination one p'in'setter adapted to deposit a. set of pins'on an alley bed, and means forper J Eingthe same, said means comprising a rota able aft and arms connecting the shaft to the pin setter, and. means for selectivelyv rotating shaft through a complete frame movement.

11. In a pin setting machine for bowling alloys, the combination of a pin setter adapted to deposit a set of pinson an alley bed, and means for operating the same, said means comprising a rotatable shaft andarms connecting the shaft to the pin setter, and means for selectively rotating the shaft through a complete and a partialsetter frame movement, sai'dmeans comprising an operating arm on. the shaft, 9. linkconnected to the operating arm, reciprocable means for shifting the link approximately 1 ngitudinally, and means for regulating the eifec ve motion of the link.

12. In a pin setting machine for bowling alleys, the combination of a pin setter adapted to deposit a set of pins on an alley bed, means for operating the same, said means comprising a rotatable shaft, arms-connecting the shaft to the pinfsetter, means for selectively rotating the shaft through a complete and a partial setter frame movement, said means comprising an operating arm on the shaft, a link connected to the operatand a partial setter approximately longitudinally, and means for reg- 'ulating the efiective motion of the link, said means cbmprising a plate having a. slot therein and a pin on the endof the link movable from top to bottom of the slOt.

13. In a pin setting machine for bowling alleys, the combination of a pin setter adaptedto deposit a set of pins on an alley bed, means for operating the same, said means comprising a rotatable shaft, arms connecting the shaft to the pin setter, means for selectively rotating the shaft through a complete and a partial setter'frame movement, said means comprising an operating arm on the clearing the alley prior to the positioning of said pins, said first-named means including'a set of electromagnets and means operated from the players end of thealley for individually controlling the magnets, said means comprising a, dial, .5

a plurality of notches in dial corresponding to the number of pins, and a handle adapted to be shifted into the notches for designating those Dinstoberetalnedonthebed.

1'1. In a pin setting for bowling alleys, 10 the combination of means for depositing a desired and variable number of pins on the alley bed in desired and variable arrangement and means for clearing the alley prior to the positioning of said pins, said flrst-named'means in: 15

' cluding a set offelectromagnets and means operated from the players end of the alley for individually controlling the magnets, said means comprising a'. dial, a plurality of notches in the dial corre' onding to the number of 'pins, a 20 handle a pted to be shifted into the notches for designating those pins to be retained on the ing arm reciprocable means for shifting 4 shaft, a link connected to the operating arm, re-

ciprocable means for shifting the link approximately longitudinally, means for regulating the effective motion of the link, said means comprismg a plate having a slot therein and a pin on the pins fromthe alley,,and means for operating the same, said means comprising a frame and means connected to the frame for moving the same downwardly and then returning thesame to normal raised position, said frame including links for maintaining the sweeper blade in a' vertical position throughout said movement.

'15. In an automatic pin setter for bowling alleys, a rotatable storage magazine, ""a chute for delivering pins singly into the magazine, trip means for moving the magazine through onetenth of its revolution upon the entry of each pinthereinto, further trip means for, stopping the rotation of the magazine when it is full, a pin setter frame below themagazine, a trip-elementin the setter frame connected to the maga- 65 zine wherebya full set .of pins is delivered from the magazine to the setter frame when the setter frame is empty and ifthe magazineis full, 1 and means for automatically withholding operation of the setter frame until the full complemen of pins has been delivered from the magazine to the frame. 1

16. In a pin setting machine for bowling alleys,

the combination of means for depositing. a desired and variable number of pins on the alley bed in" desired and variable arrangement and means for .dial' bed, and'means for rotating the dial with the handle when positioned in the nothces.

18; In a pin setting machine for bowling alleys, 26 the combination of means for depositing a desired'and variable number of pins on the alley bed in desired'and variable arrangement and -means for clearing the alley prior to the p0 sitioning of said pins, said first-named means 30 including a set of electromagnets and means operated from the players end of the alley for in dually controlling the magnets said means com g a dial, a plurality. of notches in the i responding to the number of pins,,a85 handle adapted to be shiftedinto the notches for designating those pins to be retained on the bed, means or rotating the dial with the handle when positio ed in the notches, a series of electric switches connected to the electromagnets', 40 and mechanical means leading from the dial and handle to the switches for operating the same. 19. In a pin setting machine for bowling alleys, the combination of means for depositing a desired and variable number of pins on the alley 5 bed in desired and variable arrangement and -means for clearing the alley prior to the shining of said pins; said first-named means including a set of electromagnets and means operated from the players end of the'alley for 50 individually 'controlling the magnets, said means A i comprising a dial, a plurality of notches in the dial corresponding to the number of pins, a

handle adaptei'Lto be shifted into the notches for designating those pins to be retained on the. bed, means forrotating the dial with the handle ,when positioned in the notches, a-series of 818C?" trio switches connected to the 'electromagnets,

mechanical means leading. from the dial and handle to the switches for operating the same, so and means adjacent the switches and operated by said mechanical means for selectively making and breaking the electrical contact 01' the switches.

20. In a pin setting for bowling I the combination of means for depositing a' desired and variable number of pins on the alley .bed in desired and variable arrangement and means for clearing the alley prior to the positioning of -said'piiis, said first-named means 2,015,428 handle adapted to be shifted into the notches K for designating those pins to be retained on the bed, means for rotating the dial with the handle when positioned in the notches, a series of electric switches connected to the electromagnets, mechanical means leading from the dial and "handle to the switches for operating the same,

means adjacent the switches and operated by said mechanical'means for selectively making and breaking the electrical contact of the switches, and additional means ,tor simultaneously connecting all the switches.

21. In a pin setting machine'ior bowling alleys, the combination of means for depomting a desired and variable number of pins on the alley bed in desired and variable arrangement and means for clearing the alley prior.to the positioning of said pins, said first-named means including a set oi electromagnets and means operated .from the players end or the alley for individually controlling the magnets, said means I comprising a dial, a plurality of notches in the dial corresponding to thenumber ct pins, a

- K 3 handle'adapted to be shifted into the notches for designating those pins to be retained on the ing the electrical contact of the switches, and 10 additional means for simultaneously connecting all the switches, together with further means for simultaneously releasing all the switches.

22. In an automatic pin-setter ior bowling alleys, means for elevating the pins from the 15 bowling alley pit to a point above the alley; said meansincluding an elevator platform; and means for maintaining the platform in a horizontal pinsupporting position on its upward and downward travel and for tilting the platform into an ap- 20 proximately vertical pin-delivering position -at the upper end of its travel.

ERNEST HEDENSKOOG.

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