US2181984A - Amusement apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 5, 1939. J. H. WARNER 2,181,984

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Aug. 9, 1959 s sheets-sheet 1 ATTORNEY.

J. H. WARNER AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Dec. 5, 1939. 2,181,984

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 9, 19:59

mh l" H15 ATT Dec. 5, 1939. J. H, WARNER 2,131,984

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Aug. 9, 1959 s sheets-sheet 5 J0@ H. War/2er INVENTOR,

'.5275 ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 5, 1939 UNITED STATES PATEN'I` OFFICE 2,181,984 v AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Application August 9, 1939, Serial No. 289,153

Claims.

This invention relates to amusement apparatus and has as its principal object the provision of improvements in a miniature bowling game adapted for coin-controlled operation.

More particular objects are the provision in a simulated bowling game of means for automatically spotting the pins in the alley, score control means actuated by the several pins, a manikin or figurine arranged to propel the bowling ball at the pins, and mechanism for returning a ball to the manikin and accurately positioning the ball for propulsion by the manikin.

Still other objects relate to the provision of means for adjusting the position of the manikin to predetermine the course of the ball, and a novel mechanism for actuating the manikin to propel the ball, and control mechanism including circuit connections and mechanisms controlled thereby for indicating the players score, indicating the number of frames played upon each coincontrolled operation of the machine, and actuating certain automatic ball return mechanisms.

Other objects and novel aspects of the invention reside in the various details of construction, as well as the arrangement and mode of operation of the parts of the illustrative embodiment described in detail herein, all of which will become more apparent as the description proceeds in view of the annexed drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective of the playing end of the alley showing a portion of the ball return. ball positioning means, and the manikin and adjusting means therefor;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical section along line 2-2 of Fig. 1 showing particularly the ball positioning means and actuating motor for the manikin;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through the manikin motor, looking down along line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective of the pin setting and ball feeding mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional detail through one of the ten pins and magnetic spotting means therefor;

Fig. 6 is a circuit diagram.

GENERAL STATEMENT 0F OPERATION In its broader aspects, the invention is arranged for control by a conventional type of coin slide which is liberated for actuation by deposit of a suitable coin and when actuated operates certain electrical control mechanism to condition the game for play, such conditioning including the restoration of the score and frame indicating devices to a normal condition, the resetting or spotting of the ten pins at the end of the alley, and the delivery of a ball to the manikin. The player having actuated the coin slide for the purpose aforesaid, may adjust the manikin to predetermine the course of the bowling ball subsequently to be projected and, being satisiied with such adjustment, the player pushes a control button which actuates the manikin and propels the ball vigorously down the alley against the ten pins. The pins are individually held in their proper positions by magnetic means, the force of attraction of which is momentarily broken when any pin is struck, and each pin is connected with an overhead cable provided with a counterweight which automatically lifts the pin from the alley when the same is struck and the magnetic attraction broken as aforesaid, means being automatically actuated to effect delivery of the second or so-called spare ball to the manikin.

Individual score control means is associated with each pin to condition a counting switch which is operated after every second or spare ball, there being also a frame indicating means which is actuated automatically after every second ball until five frames havebeen played, as in the usual bowling game. After the fifth frame has been played, or after a predetermined period of time has elapsed without the playing of :live frames, a master control circuit is broken and the game cannot be further played unless another coin is deposited.

The alley Referring to Fig. 1, the bowling alley is arranged on a horizontal panel I0 and is provided along its sides with gutters II and along the one side with a ball return runway I2 which is inclined toward the front (right-hand end) of the board and terminates at a discharge end I3 opposite the manikin. As seen in Fig. 4, the gutter II extends all of the way to the rear (left-.- hand extremity) of the alley and joins a trans versely extending section IIa leading into a ball exit I4. In the event that a player should adjust the manikin so that a ball is projected oi the alley and into the gutter II, such ball Would be delivered into the transverse section IIa and into the exit I4 for movement by elevating mechanism into the delivery runway I2.

The pin spotting and indicator control means As seen in Fig. 4, each of the ten pins I5 is suspended from a cable I6 running over oververtically shiftable cross member 2l underlying the lower ends of the rods but unattached thereto, and an upper stationary guide or cross member 22 mounted on a pair of upright frame posts 23.

By shifting the lower rod support 2| upwardly from its normally lowered position, the entire group of rods 20 is raised along with' the corresponding counterweight members I9, with a consequent lowering of the cable members I6 and each of the associated ten pins, so that the latter may thus be lowered from the raised positions shown in full lines into the normally lowered positions shown in dotted lines, there being a rack member 24 provided within a triangular shell 25 supported from the frame posts and which rack member is provided with a plurality of holes into which the several pins fit when in raised position, the pins being shielded from view by the member 25.

Pin spotting magnets Means for accurately spotting the several pins in the customary triangular array includes the provision in the bottom of each pin of a magnetically attractable element such as the screws I5a (Fig. 5 also) which are tted ilush into the bottom of the pins and which are attracted by individual permanent magnets 26 seated in the alley flush with the surface of the latter so that the pins will stand perfectly erect when in lowered position, the individual cables I6 of each pin being centered with respect to the corresponding magnets 26 thereof. magnets 26 may be in the form of rod stock having suitable magnetic properties, slotted as at 26a to provide poles 26h and permanently magnetized for the purpose set forth.

As a result of the foregoing construction, each pin is attracted to its corresponding magnet 26 upon being lowered from raised position responsive to upward shifting of the assembly of rods 20.

The attraction between the individual magnets 26 and their corresponding screws in the several pins, is strong enough to maintain the corresponding counterweight and rod structure I 9-20 of the several pins in raised position, it being pointed out again that the severalrods are not attached to the lower cross member 2I, but merely rest thereon. However, when any pin is struck an appreciable blow by the ball, the momentary dislodgement thereof is "adequate to break the attraction between the screw therein and the corresponding magnet, so that the corresponding counterweight may fall and quickly raise the pin into the rack 24;

Pin switches 'I'he score indicating means includes a leaf spring or jack type of switch 30 associated with each of the pin rods 20 and operably controlled by the latter by means of individual collars 3I rigid on the rods and positioned to overlie the ex- The permanent l present that each of the switches 36 includes a pair of normally open contact springs 32 and a pair of normally closed contact springs 33. Thus. the striking of any pin causes the same to be released from its magnetic holding means and permits the corresponding rod 20 to drop, thus depressing the jointly movable springs4 of the corresponding switch to close contacts 32 and open contacts 33, which will result in the totalizing or indicating of a score after each second or spare ball is bowled.

Pin resetting and ball return means When one or more of the pins has been struck and raised from the alley in the manner aforesaid, the corresponding counterweight rod 20 will drop against the lower cross member 2|, and in order to restore such pins there is provided a motor 35 (Fig. 4) having a crank 36 underlying the cross member 2I and revoluble in cycles by the motor to raise the member 2| and thus lift any of the rods 26 which may be in lowered condition, thereby restoring the corresponding pin to lowered position inthe alley. The motor 35 is controlled by circuit connections hereinafter to be described.

Supported on the frame structure for the pin resetting mechanism is a vertical tube 38 having an open upper end 39 situated opposite the terminus of the transverse ball return runway IIa to receive balls from the latter, the diameter of the upper end 39 of the tube being slightly less than that of the bowling balls, so that the latter will seat therein upon leaving the lower end of the runway IIa. The tube 38 is shiftable vertically in a suitable collar 40 xed to a horizontal shelf 4I supported by the frame post 23 and supporting the several indicator control switches 30.

Ball elevation Means for shifting the elevating tube 38 from its normally lowered position seen in Fig. 4, to raised position wherein the mouth 39 and a ball thereon will be disposed opposite the open upper end I2a of the ball delivery runway, includes a motor 42 arranged to rotate a disc 63 having eccentrically connected vthereto an elevator operating arm 44 pivotally connected as at 45 to the tube and effective to reciprocate the latter once for each revolution of the disc The disc is .normally disconnected from driving relation with the motor 42 since it is arranged to iloat on a shaft 46 independently of a gear 41 rotated by the motor 42, the disc having mounted thereon a clutch pawl 48 normally urged by a spring into engagement with the teeth of the gear 41 so as to cause the disc to rotate with the gear when the clutch pawl is freed for movement, relative retrograde movement between the disc and driving gear being prevented by action of a dog 49 on the disc and engaging the teeth of the gear so as to permit the latter to move in only one direction relative to the dog. The clutch pawl 48 is normally held out of clutching engagement with the gear by means of a latch arm 50 pivoted on the motor support as at 5I and having an oiTset end portion 52 normally urged into a notch 53 in the disc so as to bear against the tail 54 ofthe clutch pawl and hold the latter against the tension of its spring away from the gear 41. In this condition, operation of the motor will not effect rotation of the disc.

'I'he latch arm 50 is adapted to be tripped from the normal position shown in Fig. 4 by action of a solenoid 55, the plunger 56 of which is pivotally connected to the arm 50. Energization of the solenoid rocks the latch arm to withdraw the offset locking nose 52 thereof from the notch 53 in the disc and also from engagement with the tail of the clutch pawl so that the latter may move into clutching engagement with the driving gear and thus begin rotation of the disc. Subsequent deenergization of the solenoid 55 is of no effect, since the olfset nose portion 52 of the latch arm rides on the periphery of the disc until the latter has made a complete revolution, restoring notch 53 opposite the nose of the latch arm and also causing the tail of the pawl to ride onto the offset of the latch arm and release the clutch to stop the disc at a predetermined position regardless of the override of the motor.

Power to the winding of the motor 42 is connected through a normally open jack type switch 51, the contact springs of which are situated to be brought into closed circuit relation by engagement with the latch arm 50 when the latter is rocked responsive to energization of the operating solenoid.

The ball seat at the open upper end 39 of the elevating tube is pitched forwardly and works in a vertical guide-well (not seen), so that the ball is retained thereon during upward movement of the elevating tube until it is brought into alignment with the receiving end |2a of the delivery runway, whereupon the ball automatically gravitates into the runway for return to the manikin.

In the event a ball is not delivered to the manikin, there is provided an emergency elevator switch 51h which is manually operable by push button 51a.

The manikin and ball projecting means As seen in Figs. l and 2, the bowling ball is propelled along the alley by a manikin including a suitable gure mounted for adjusting movement about a vertical axis by means of a sleeve 6| seated in suitable bearings in the panel IIJ and passing beneath the latter for rigid connection with a bracket 62 secured to a tubular shaft 63 having rigid connection with a bell crank 64 linked by a member 65 with a manual control including the eccentric pivotal connection 66 of the link 65 with a disc 61 rotated by a shaft 68 connected with a manual control 69 accessible to the player. By turning the handle 69 in opposite directions, the figurine or manikin can be pivoted into desired positions to direct the ball accurately in a desired manner at the tenpins.

Means associated with the manikin for propelling the ball, includes the provision of a limb or arm 1D mounted jointly with a companion arm 10b on a stud shaft 1| in the manikin and drivingly connected by means of pinions 12 with a shaft 13 extending through the tubular shaft 63 and into an oscillatory motor generally indicated at 14 and shown in sectional detail in Fig. 2. This motor includes an armature 15 (Fig. 3 also) rigidly secured to the shaft 13 and positioned in the field of a pair of magnetic poles 16 magnetized by a winding 11. The weight of the arm 10bv is calculated to dispose the other arm 19 in normal position to receive and propel the ball, with a consequent rocking of the shaft 13 to move the armature 15 out of alignment with the poles 16, as illustrated in Fig. 3, energization of winding 11 vigorously turning the armature into the dotted line position with a consequent raising or forward movement of the maniklns arm to project a ball disposed opposite the hand 10a.

Ball spotting and circuit control means In order to assure reliable and accurate operation of the machine so far as the playing of the game is concerned, it is necessary that the bowling ball be accurately positioned before the hand 10a of the manikin, and to this end the balls used are magnetically attractable and are accurately spotted or located and held by magnetic means in front of the manikins hand on a plate 80 of conductive metal, such as brass, mounted ush with the surface of the panel I0 opposite the discharge end I3 of the delivery runway.

Magnetic means for positioning the ball on the plate 80, includes a magnet 8| situated beneath the plate 80 and having a pole piece 82 (Fig. 6 also) situated a little behind center of the plate 80 so that the magnetic ball 83 will constantly be drawn firmly against the hand 10d while magnet 8| is energized. Thus, as the ball 83 leaves the end I3 of the delivery runway, it will be positively drawn into the field of the pole pieces .82 and disposed always in the same position relative to the hand of the manikin.

The balls 83, in addition to being magnetically attractable, are also electro-conductive, as is the plate 80, and as will appear hereinafter in the description of the circuit connections the ball 83, when spotted on the plate 80, is adapted to close a control circuit through the metallic arm and body portions of the manikin and the plate 80.

The hand 10a is preferably constructed of iron so as to increase the field of force above the plate 80; the remainder of the figure may be cast from aluminum.

DETAILED OPERATION AND CIRCUIT CONNECTIONS Coin-slide control and master switch As shown in Fig. 6, the principal control over the apparatus is exercised by a suitable coin testing device including, for example, the familiar reciprocable coin slide 90 of the type which is freed for reciprocation upon deposit of a suitable coin in the pocket therein. Such a coin slide is shown, for example, in United States Patent No. 2,153,183.

Inward movement of the slide 90, following deposit of a proper coin therein, momentarily closes a master switch 9| connecting battery 92 to conductor 93. The coin slide also closes a totalizer restoring switch 94a to energize a totalizer release magnet 94h for restoring the scoring totalizer 94 to zero preparatory to the playing of a new game or line.

Operation of the coin slide initiates one cycle of operation of the pin resetting motor 35 by putting battery momentarily on the normal starting commutator contact 96 arranged to keep the motor going long enough so that the commutator ring 91 may rotate into engagement with a sustaining contact 98 which will keep the motor power circuit closed until one revolution of the commutator 91 and pin resetting crank 36 has been completed, whereupon an interruption in the ring 91 breaks the motor circuit at starting position.

The coin slide also closes master switch contacts 9|a placing battery on all contacts 99 of a "frame counting switch |30 to cause the latter to return to starting position in the event a player has left his game unfinished. Master switch contacts 9| a also energize relay No. 9 via conductor |40a to operate elevator control solenoid 55 and eii'ect delivery of a ball to the manikin.

Simultaneously with the elevation and delivery of a ball, the ball spotting magnet 8| is energized to attract the newly delivered ball from runway |2 since battery is now connected for the duration of the game to conductor 93 by the differential relay No. 5. Power is also connected to the bowling switch via an interruptor switch I 0\| and a circuit |02 completed through the arm 10 and hand 10a of the manikin, and the ball spotting plate 80 and conductors |03 and |04 through the winding of a pitching relay No. 3 and a conductor to the resistance bank and back to battery.

The main power circuit thereafter is under control of diierential relay No. 5, whose operating winding |44 is energized by the master switch 9| in the iirst instance to hold the relay operated and locked for the duration of the game and until the differential winding is energized, as will be explained. It is emphasized that as soon as relay No. 5 pulls up, battery is connected by contacts |46 to ground from which all circuits thereafter derive their power.

It should be noted that when the coin slide is initially pushed in to close the master switch, it also momentarily opens the interruptor switch |0| to cut oil' power from the bowling switch so that the coin slide cannot be held in for repeated operation of the game with only one coin. The game will therefore bc in condition for playing only when the coin slide is retracted.

Ball projection Having operated the coin slide with the consequent operations of the various control means as aforesaid, the game is ready for play, and it may be assumed that the patron adjusts the manikinpositioning handle 69, and is ready to bowl the ball, whereupon he depresses the button |00a (Fig. l) operating the bowling switch |00. This operates relay No. 3 whose contacts |06 connect power via conductor |01 to energize the winding 11 of the pitching or bowling motor 14, which in turn swings the arm of the manikin vigorously forward and propels the ball at the tenpins.

Such of the tenpins as are struck are dislodged from the holding influence of their respective magnets 26, so that the corresponding counterweight means and rods 20 drop, raising the pin from the alley and operating the corresponding indicator control switches 30 to close the normally open pair of contacts 32 and open contacts 33, whereupon the scoring mechanism is initially conditioned for subsequent actuation to operate the totalizer.

In the usual bowling game, if the iirst ball knocks down all of the pins, this constitutes a i strike; but if some of thepins are left standing but are subsequently knocked down by the second or spare ball, this latter bowling of the remaining pins constitutes a spare.

Score means for individual pins To condition the totalizer for indication of the score resulting from the striking of one or more individual tenpins, each pair of normally open contacts 32 of the indicator switches 30 is connected by conductors 30a through a plug-in cable 30h to an alternate contact 30e on one bank of scoring contacts of a stepping switch 200 operated by a combination slow-operating and slow-release relay and a stepping magnet No. 4. Thus, operation of any indicator switch 30 by knocking over a tenpin, places battery on the corresponding tery to lead ||5 (in lieu of relay No. 3).

score bank contact in the stepping switch, but no The score of individual hits will not be totalized until after the projection of the second or spare ball, this being accomplished in conjunction with the operation of No. 3 relay, when the bowling switch is operated to project the iirst ball. Contacts |08 of this relay connect battery from ground via conductor |09 to the iirst and third starting contacts ||0 on the bank of stepping contacts in the stepping switch, and this battery is connected through wiper and relay contacts |I2 to No.4 magnet which operates to energize the magnet 20| to operate the stepping mechanism via circuit 202 and relay switch 203, thus shifting wiper over to the second starting contact ||4 (also looped with the fourth contact), the return circuit for No. 4 magnetv being through conductor 2| 5 to the resistance bank and back to the battery or power source.

Thus relay No. 3 and stepping relay magnet No. 4 pull up together; and at the same time relays No. and No. 2 pull up, relay No. receiving battery from conductor |09 and transferring the same via its contacts I6 to relay No. 2.

It is important to observe that magnets Nos. 2 and 3 are of the sloW-to-release type, while No. 4 is both slow to operate and slow to release, in consequence of which the projected ball has time to be well on the Way before the stepping switch rst operates, and moreover, No. 4 will not fall back until Nos. I, 2 and 3 have released. As soon as wiper reaches the second contact ||4, the switch automatically steps again because when relay No. 2 falls back its contact |1 connects bat- Thus, wiper arrives at the third contact 0 where it rests until the player again pushes the bowling button to cause relays No. to 4 to pull up again in the same manner.

Delivery of spare ball Meanwhile, the second or spare ball will have been delivered to the manikin as a result of the movement of the wiper ||8 of the strike bank of contacts jointly with wiper When the stepping switch is impulsed for the rst two steps, wiper I8 transiently engages strike bank contact ||9, connecting via conductor |20 with normally closed contacts |2| of relay No. 6, and thence via conductor |22 to relay No. 9 which operates to again energize the ball elevating solenoid 55. Wiper ||8 thereafter stops on the third contact of the strike bank which is dead. The function of the strike bank contacts will appear later.v

Second or spare ball projection When the player pushes the bowling switch for the second time, the stepping switch is again stepped because its wiper is resting on the 'third starting contact which receives battery Totalieing When the stepping switch starts repeated automatic operation, the wiper |23 for the score bank contacts transiently engages the various contacts connected through cable h to the several indicator switches 30, it being remembered that whenever a pin'is struck, the corresponding indicator switch ls held in operated condition to maintain battery on the corresponding score bank contacts.

Thus, battery will be successively applied to the wiper |23 as it steps around, impulsing the totalizer magnet 94e via conductor |24 a number of times depending on the number of pins struck.

Frame and strike counting The machine is preferably set to permit the playing of ve frames, and therefore the ball may be projected ten times (two for each frame). Since each group of two balls constitutes one frame means is provided for indicating the number of frames played and automatically shutting olf the power when a total of five frames has been played, or after a lapse of time. This means includes a second stepping switch generally indicated at |30 and, like the first stepping switch, includes three banks of contacts and three wipers.

The stepping magnet |3| is impulsed through a conductor |32 in series with the winding of No. 1 relay which in turn receives battery via conductor |33 from the next to the last contact |33a on the strike bank of the rst stepping switch, so that each time wiper ||0 of the latter moves around as aforesaid, following projection of the second or spare ball, relay No. 1 is impulsed.

It is important to note, however, that the terminals of relay No. 1 are normally shunted through conductors |34 and |35 by all of the normally closed contacts 33 of the counterweight switches, so that unless all of the tenpins have been struck (with a consequent opening of all switch contacts 33), relay No. 1 will not pull up after the second ball is projected.

The shunted impulse or battery is, however, passed on to the stepping magnet |3I, returning through the resistance bank, so that wiper A contacts the rst (dead) contact on the corresponding bank.

Wiper B normally contacts the rst contact on its bank and places battery from ground, via a plug-in cable |36 on the No. lamp of the group of live frame lamps |31, causing this lamp to be illuminated when the coin slide is first operated to indicate to the player that he is playing the first frame.

As wipers A and B make the rst step, wiper C does the same, engaging the rst of five looped contacts on its bank and connected by conductor |38 to the fourth contact |39 on the strike bank of the first stepping switch. Wiper C is connected by conductor |40 to conductor |22 and hence to contacts |2| of relay No. 0; it is also connected to the winding of'relay No. 9 which controls the elevator circuit. 'I'his first step causes wiper B to illuminate frame indicating lamp No. 2.

Thus, the bowling of every second ball results in operation of the frame counting switch and illumination of the appropriate frame counting lamps |31. When the tenth ball is projected, wiper C moves off the last contact and breaks the power circuit for the elevator control relay No. 9, so that no more balls will be delivered.

At the same time, wiper B engages contact |4| and via conductor |42 places battery on the reverse winding of the differentially Wound relay No. 5 through the closed contacts |43 of the latter which are closed because the main 'winding |44 is constantly energized while the game is in play via ground and conductor |45 to the resistance bank. As a result, differential relay No. 5 releases, thus cutting off the main power connection to ground through its contacts |46, with a 'consequent cutting oi of further play unless the coin switch 9| is again operated.

Strike scoring Should the player make a "strike and knock down all of the pins during any frame, it will be understood that all of the normally closed contacts 33` of the counterweight switches would be opened, and in this event the heretofore mentioned shunt around the winding of No. 1 relay would be opened so that when the first or totalizer stepping switch moves after playing of any spare ball, relay No. 1 would be pulled up, placing battery from ground through its contacts |41 on the contacts |48 of relay No. 6 and also energizing the latter, with two results: first, contacts |49 complete circuit for the strike indicating lamp |50, which is illuminated; second, the starting contacts ||0 on the stepping bank are energized and cause the totalizer stepping switch to move one additional step instead of stopping in the usual starting position on the rst contact ||0 4after making a complete rotation.

The totalizer switch steps no farther because in the preceding rotation, the pins were reset, thus restoring the shunt around relay No. 1, which causes the latter to fall back and remove battery from starting contacts l I4 on the stepping switch.

In this manner, a free play is aiorded the player in reward of the strike, it being important to observe, however, that operation of the frame counting switch |30 must be prevented if the delivery of the free ball is not to be deducted from the ten plays permitted by the frame counting switch. This is done by connecting the stepping magnet I3! for the frame counting switch in series with the winding of relay No. 1, which has a considerably higher resistance (800 w.) than winding |3| (100 w.), with the result that when a strike lifts the shunt from relay No. 1, the latter operates, but stepping magnet |3| does not because it does not receive enough current through the higher resistance winding of No. 1 relay.

In the event that the player leaves the game without using the ten balls, it is contemplated that the power circuit maintained by differential relay No. 5 may be broken by a suitable timedelay switch in series with the main power connection thereof to the battery or other power source 92.

SUMMARIZED STATEMENT or OPERATION Operation of the coin slide 90 closes master starts the resetting motor 35, impulses the ballelevator control solenoid 55, closes themaster differential relay No. 5 to set up the operating power circuit, and also steps the frame counting rotary switch |30 back to normal (if any player has left prior to completing a game). The ball spotting magnet 82 is also energized.

The player pushes switch |00|00a the rst time, operating relay No. 3 which actuates the projecting motor 14 and also relays Nos. I and 2; No. 2 relay starts the totalizer stepping switch to irst position.

If some, but not all, pins are knocked' down, the corresponding counterweight switches 30-32 are operated to put battery on certain score bank contacts.

When the second or spare ball ismprojected' .by operating bowling switch IIN-Ilmathe second time, relays Nos. I, 2 and 3 operate as before to shift the totalizer stepping switch to the next starting contact, whereupon it begins to step automatically through one cycle. As wiper II8 steps around over contacts |39, I33a, I5I, relay No. 9 pulls up to start the ball elevating motor 42; magnet ISI is pulled up to step the frame counting switch; and relay No. 8 is energized to start pin resetting motor 35. The frame counting switch steps once to illuminate frame indicating lamp No. 2.

The player may continue to bowl eight more balls (four frames) After the tenth4 ball has been bowled, the differential Winding of relay No. 5 is energized by wiper B, contact I4I of the frame counting switch, thus cutting 01T the power until a coin is again inserted to operate slide 90.

Should the player make a strike during any frame, relay No. 'I will be operated by wiper IIB, contact I33a, since all switches 33 are opened by the strike and the shunt around relay No. 1 is lifted. This causes illumination of strike lamp and resetting of the pins and delivery of another ball, constituting a free play, since the frame counting magnet cannot operate to deduct the strike play if relay No. 'l operates.

The various advantages and objects of the invention may be accomplished by modifications of the particular embodiment specically described herein, and it is intended that the appended claims shall include all equivalent arrangements fairly coming within their call.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In a bowling game, a manikin having a movable arm and hand portion adapted to engage and project a ball in bowling action, a magnetically attractable ball, means for delivering the ball into position against said hand, magnetic means arranged adjacent said position and hand and operable to attract said ball firmly against said hand for propulsion by the latter, and mechanism for moving said arm to project the ball as aforesaid.

2. In a bowling game, a manikin having a movable arm with a. hand adapted to engage and propel a ball in bowling action, electrical means for actuating said arm to propel the ball, circuit control means for operating said actuating means, an electro-conductive ball and means for delivering said ball into position before said hand for projection by the latter, a conductive member adjacent said hand and engaged by said ball when positioned as aforesaid, and circuit connections connecting said arm actuating means and control means in a power circuit through said hand, said ball, and said conductive member, to prevent projecting operation of said actuating means when there is no ball positioned on said conductive member before said hand.

3. In a bowling game,'a bowling manikin having a conductive hand adapted for movement to engage and propel a ball in bowling action, means normally disposing said hand in a predetermined position to engage a ball for the purpose aforesaid, a conductive member beneath said hand, a conductive ball and means for delivering the same into bowling position on said conductive member in contact with said hand, and electrically operated mechanism including an operating switch for moving said hand to project said ball and connected in a power circuit through said hand and said conductive member by the agency of a ball positioned in engagement with the hand and conductive member as aforesaid.

4. In a bowling game, a bowling manikin having a conductive hand adapted for movement to engage and propel a ball in bowling action, means normally disposing said hand in a predetermined position to engage a ball for the purpose aforesaid, a conductive member beneath said hand, a magnetically attractable electro-conductive ball and means for delivering the same into bowling position on said conductive member in contact with said hand, and electrically operated mechanism including an operating switch for moving said hand to project said ball and connected in a power circuit through said hand and said conductive member by the agency of a ball positioned in engagement with the hand and conductive member as aforesaid, and magnetic means arranged adjacent said conductive member and eilective to urge said ball into circuit closing engagement with said hand and conductive member.

5. In a bowling game, a manikin having a movable arm portion including a hand before which a bowling ball is to be disposed in bowling position, a magnetic bowling ball, means for delivering said ball toward said hand, magnetic means for attracting said ball into bowling position before said hand, electrically controlled means for eiecting movement of said arm to bowl said ball, and a control circuit for said electrically controlled means and actuated by said ball in attracted position before the hand to render said electrically controlled means operable for the purpose aforesaid, and manually controlled means for energizing said electrically controlled means to elect a bowling of said ball.

JOE H. WARNER.

Images