US2231842A - Pin setting device for bowling alleys - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 11, 1941. R. E. RUNDELL PIN SETTING DEVICE FOR BOWLING ALLEYS Filed July 28, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR in BY ape/Z F/Pzmdell I TTORNEY Feb. 11, 1941 R. E. RUNDELL 2,231,842

PIN SETT'ING DEVICE FOR BOWLING ALLEYS Filed July 28, 1938 3 Sheets-Shet 2 ATTORNEY Feb. 11, 1941- R. E. RUNDELL 2,231,842

PIN SETTING DEVICE FOR BQWLING ALLEYS Filed July 28; 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 65 QWV/ W1 INVENTCR 46 Raped Efizmdell ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 11,1941

PIN SETTING DEVICE FOR BOWLING ALLEYS Rupert E. Rundell, Rockville Centre, N. Y., assignor'to American Machine & Foundry Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application July 28, 1938, Serial No. 221,680

I 17 Claims.

My invention relates to pin setting machines, and more particularly to improvements in mechanism for more efiicientlyhandling pins and posiiioning them on an alley.

In devices of this type heretofore known attempts have been made to provide means for automatically locating a frame of ten pinson an alley in such a manner that they coincide with the spots on the alley'and are, concentric l0 therewith. When the first ball has been thrown, all of the pins mayfalland result in a strike, in which case a newframe, of pins must be set on the alley. On the other hand, if one or more pins remain standing after the first ball is thrown,

it is necessary to lift the standing pins away from the alley, sweep the dead wood or fallen pins therefrom, and then return the pins lifted to the exact positions they occupied upon the alley prior to being lifted before the game can be resumed. It frequently happens that after one or more balls have been thrown, some of the pins still standing have been shifted laterally and are, therefore, no longer located in concentric relation to the spots on the alley. This situation gives rise to a considerable problem because under the rules of the game, before throwing succeeding balls, pins after being lifted must be returned to the exact positions to which moved, by previously thrown balls, and positioning them on their original spotted locations on the alley is not allowed.

Although attempts have been made to solve the problems of removing pins from the alley to sweep dead wood therefrom, and to relocate them in exact playing position thereon, they have not proven wholly satisfactory for one reason or another, chiefly, however, because of the failure to develop devices for properly engaging the pin heads in order to raise them for alley sweeping and relocation, either on the spots, or the exact playing position they occupied before" they were handled. Another disadvantage has beencaused by the necessity of modifying the pins to meet the demands of a particular machine, a practice also frowned upon. Still another disadvantage 'comes about from the complexity of the magnetic or mechanical mechanism developed for this purpose.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a pin setting machine having as a. part 60 thereof improved devices for handling the pins during their transportation to a bed for initial location thereon in frame order of ten pins, and also to furnish simplified and efllciently operating means for handling the standing pins during 55 the removal of fallen pins from the alley and gutters, and relocate them in exact position on the alley.

It is a further object of the invention to provide pin lifting and holding mechanism wherein Y each of the pin handling devices is provided with 5 a separate, and individually operating control device which governs the gripping and ejection of pins from each of the handling devices upon the alley.

It is a further object of the invention to pro- 10 vide a pin lifting device wherein the several, pin holding members or units which constitute the device are individually operable to effect the discharge of pins therefrom.

It is an added object of the invention to pro- 15 vide separate and individually movable latching means for each of the several pin holders, and provide suitable mechanism for operating them to release pins at the desired timein promr location upon the alley, either upon the spots de- 20 lineated upon the alley at the beginning of the game, and before the first ball hasbeen thrown, or to deposit them after the removal of dead wood from the alley in the precise position the pins occupied before their being lifted therefrom, 25 and further, to furnish improved control mechanism for lifting and respotting pins which makes this structure more practical and efllcient than any heretofore known.

It is a further object of the invention to pro- 30 vide improved mechanism for initially locating a frame of the required number of pins upon an alley, and also to provide mechanism which is positive, operative and eilicient in the subsequent handling of pins during the intermediate stages 35 01 play, such for instance as the treatment of the pins prior to the throwing of the second ball, in the case of tenpins or games played similarly, or prior to the handling of the second and third 0 balls where three balls are used.

The inyention also contemplates the provision of electrical control devices for each of the several pin lifting and transfer units, which devices will function-with respect to their respective units 5 regardless of the action at another. This control system makes it possible to always pick up pins for sweeping dead wood from the alley, regardless of the number of pins standing upright thereon.

With these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, the invention consists in certain combinations and constructions which will be hereinafter fully described, and then specificallyset forth in the claims hereunto app In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, and in which like characters of reference indicate the same or like parts:

Fig. l is a partial side elevation, partly in crosssection, of the pin elevator of an automatic bowling alley pin setting machine provided with my pin holder units, in its upper or pin receiving position;

Fig. 2 is a similar partial side elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1, in its reversed or lower delivery position, taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 is a plan view, parts broken away, taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-section of one of the improved pin holding units in its lower position for picking up a pin left standing after throwing of the first ball, and also showing the electrical connections for energizing the pin discharge mechanism at the proper time;

Fig. 5 is a partial side view showing means suitable for raising and lowering the pin holding unit transfer elevator table; and

Fig. 6 is a view taken on line 6-Ii of Figure 5.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration a preferred embodiment of my invention is shown, there is provided a pin setting elevator or carrier designated generally 65, which elevator transfers a plurality of pins, received from a transfer mechanism T, to an alley 40 where the pins P are located on the bed spots of the alley, performs all intermediate functions incident to bowling each frame, and then returns to its original position to receive a new set of pins at the end of each bowling cycle. Transfer T may be of the type shown in the Schmidt application referred to below.

The elevator 65 is mounted for vertical and rotary movement in guides 46 and is raised, loweredand rotated through 180 by means of cable I05 secured to block I03. Since this mechanism may be substantially the same as that shown and described in co-pending application, Serial No. 204,- 995, filed April 29, 1938, by Gottfried J. Schmidt, although the specific turning mechanism forms no part of the present Invention.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, elevator 65 comprises a generally triangular frame member I upon which are supported for movement therewith, ten pin holding units 2 arranged to correspond with the arrangement of the bowling pins P, when placed in the spotted position upon the bed of a bowling alley. Each of the units has individually controlled and operated means for gripping pins for transferring them from a receiving position, and also for releasing them upon the bed at the desired time.

Referring particularly to Fig. 4 it will be noted that each of the pin holding units 2 consists of a hollow cylindrical casing or housing 3 provided with a top 4 and bottom 6 having aligned circular openings '5 and 1, respectively, formed therein. These casings 3 are mounted for shifting or lateral movement with reference to the frame I in order to make it possible to properly spot the pins and also to return pins lifted from the bed 40 by the units 3 to the exact position they occupied when removed from the the bed. In the illustrated embodiment, the casings 3 are held between frame I and apertured plate 8, which plate is secured at a fixed distance, that of the height of the casings, from frame I by means of bolts III and spacing sleeves I I, located between the frame and plate and surrounding the bolts. The openings 9 in plate 8 are located adjacent openings I in casings 3.

Within each of the casings 3 is located a diskshaped plunger I2 secured to a plunger rod I3 slidably mounted in frame I. On the upper end 5 of each of the rods I3 is fixed a head I4 which cooperates with a separate latch member I5. A compression spring I3I is coiled around rod I3 inside casings 3, and normally urges plunger I2 downwardly into pin discharging or ejecting posi- 10 tion, as described more fully hereinafter.

In order to prevent any shifting of the pin holding units when pins are gripped by the grippers I6, either during the transfer from receiving to pin releasing position upon an alley, or while 15 the pins are being lifted from an alley prior to the removal of dead wood therefrom, plates I2 1 located on plunger rods I3 are provided for clamping the casings 3 against any lateral move ment. Due to the fact that the heads I4 of the 20 plungers I2 are held in latched position, springs I3I which are compressed, force the plates I20. into firm engagement with the tops 4 of the casings and hold them against movement. When no pins are held by the grippers, plates I2a float 25 on springs I3I and the casings 3 are free to be shifted laterally by the pins to any position within limits determined by the diameter of the plates I2.

Each of the pin holder units 3 is provided with 30 a set of funnel-like downwardly and outwardly flaring gripper members which act both to guide pins into the units and to hold them during the transferring and lifting operations. Four flared gripper members I6 are shown in the drawings, although any other suitable number can be used. These members extend through the apertures 9 in plate 8, opening I in the casing bottoms 6, and are arranged about the central axis of the unit 3, below plunger I2. The gripper members I8 are 40 mounted for gripping action on spring pressed fingers I 'I carried by slide rods IB slidably mounted in the casing bottom 8, and urged into pin gripping position by springs I9.

One of the most important features of this invention resides in the provision of independent operating mechanism for each of the pin holder units 3 which make it impossible for them not to lift pins standing on the bed of the alley whenever this is desired. In the illustrated embodiment, 50 mechanism used for each holder shown in detail in Fig. 4, may consist of a post or bracket 20 mounted on the elevator frame I adjacent each plunger head I4. Fixed to each bracket is a solenoid 2| provided with an armature 22 connected 55 by link 23 to a latch lever 24 pivotally mounted on post 20, and engaging latch I5. Each latch I5 is slidably located in a groove 26 formed in the face of the frame I, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and held therein by means of a screw 21 which 60 extends through an elongated slot 28 in the latch and is threaded into frame I. The latch I5 is normally urged towards plunger head I4 by means of a spring 29 located in bores 30 and 3| formed in post 20 and the latch. The operating 5 solenoids for the ten holders are connected in parallel for joint pin release action.

, In the operation of the pin elevator as it moves to and from the bed, it will be apparent that when a charge of pins is placed in the several 70 holders, the pressure exerted by the pin heads against plungers I2 will cause springs I3I to be compressed, heads I4 to be moved outwardly and the latches I5, which have been pressing resiliently against their respective heads, will move 75 beneath them and lock the plungers against pin ejecting movement. The elevator next is turned through and moves down until the pins have been positioned for discharge in proper arrangement on the spots of the alley bed. It is at this time that the several solenoids 2| are energized The table l, as shown in Figure 1, is positioned with the pin holding units 2 located in pin receiving position. After the pins have been fed to the units 2 and are gripped by grippers l9, cable I05 attached to the table is responsible for the lowering thereof to rotate the table and deposit the pins carried by units 2 on the bed 40 of a bowling alley. The means which effects the raising and lowering of table and turning thereof may be of the same general type as that shown in the Schmidt application, above referred to, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, wherein motor 359 is attached to bracket 360 connected by belt 364 to pulley 365 mounted on a shaft carrying drum 368 about which cable I05 is trained. The table will be raised or lowered depending upon the directionof rotation of drum 365. As in the machine shown in the co-pending Schmidt application, block I03, to which cable I05 is secured, mounts trunnions 99 secured to table'|. Fixed to trunnions 98 are cranks I06 provided with cam followers I01 arranged to travel in channel 45 and by-pass 48. Coacting with channel 46 and 48 are valves 52 and 54. Valve 62 has connected thereto a spring 63 which normally tends to hold it in the position shown in Figure 6 so that on the downward movement of the table, cam follower ||1 carried by crank I05 will move in the direction of the arrow (Figure 5) as shown along bypass 48 which will cause the table to be rotated from the position shown in Figure 1 to that shown in Figure 2. See also Figure 5, which also illustrates the relative positions of the table at pin receiving and pin discharging stations. when the cable I05 is ,drawn up after the deposition of pins on the alley, cam follower I01 moves back up through by-pass 48 and is responsible for the turning of the table into the position shown in full lines shown in Figure 5.

After the release of the pins from the holders and their positioning on the alley, the elevator is raised above the bed and remains there pending further steps in the bowling of a frame. The current is cut oif as the elevator moves upwardly and the latches |5 return to their position of rest against the heads N.

If, when the first ball is thrown a strike results, although the elevator may be raised and lowered, and the solenoids energized and de-energized, the effect upon the latches is immaterial and they remain resting against heads |4. If, however, one or more pins are standing after the first ball, it is necessary to remove fallen pins or dead wood from the alley. When this occurs, as

the elevator movesdownwardly, the heads of upright pins engage the flared gripper members It and cause the holder unit casings 3 to shift so that when the pins are lifted, they will be held in the elevator in the exact position they occupied on the alley after the throwing of the first ball, and upon downward movement of the elevator and the subsequent release of these pins from their respective holder units, they will be replaced on the alley in the exact position they occupied before they were lifted.

When the elevator moves down towards the bed to pick up pins the heads of those pins remaining upright will engage plungers I2, force latch heads |4 upward against the compression of springs 3|, whereupon springs 29 force latches l5 to move into latching engagement with heads l4 and the plungers l2 are locked against pin releasing movement. The elevator carrying the pins moves upward away from the bed, and the sweeping operation is performed as in the Schmidt application referred to. Due to the use of individual latches for each of the pin holder units, it is impossible not to grip and lift pins which must be removed for the sweeping operation prior to throwing the second ball. Each standing pin individually locks the ejecting plunger |2 of its respective unit 3 against pin release, and the unit so operated must lift that pin.

As described previously, the mechanism for raising, lowering and rotating the elevator for handling the pins, is substantially the same as that shown in the referred to Schmidt applica-' tion. In a like manner, it is proposed to utilize the control motor and contact drum which con trols the suction in the pin handling members of that application for activating the solenoids which control the release of the pins from the' grippers both at the time when a set of ten pins is initially placed in spotted positionon the bed of an alley before the first ball is thrown, and also for the relocation of pins not knocked down, and prior to the rolling of the second ball.

In Figs. 3 and 4 are shown the electrical connections used for operating the solenoids at the desired time to effect the release of the several latches l5. The solenoids 2| are connected in parallel by means of leads 35 and 36 to lines 3| and 33, which lines form part of the circuit which is closed by the throwing of the bowling ball, as described more fully in theSchmidt application above referred to. .The current flows from line 32 through a timing device 34, which is rotated once for each bowling cycle to effect the necessary control of the solenoids. In line 31b is placed a switch 31, which is closed, by means of a finger 38 mounted on the elevator I whenever it descends. Switch 31 is pivotally mounted on arm 39 suitably fastened to the frame of the machine. A spring 48 normally tends to open the contacts 4| and 42 in line 33, and a stop 43 forming a part of arm 39 limits the movement of the switch arm under tension of spring 48. Timing switch 34 is provided with two contacts 44 and 45, so that the current may flow from line 32 through brush 4! and either of the contacts 44 or 45, through brush 46 and back through line 3|, solenoids 2| and line 33, when the circuit is completely closed, which in the illustrated embodiment occurs twice each bowling cycle.

Assuming that ten pins have been placed upon the alley, that the first ball has been thrown, and that several pins remain standing, the elevator then moves downwardly to lift the pins which remain upright. Although the finger 38 closes switch 31, brush 4! fails to engage either contacts 44 and 45 of the timing device which makes one complete rotation for each bowling cycle and hence.the complete circuit is not closed and the solenoids are not energized. This means that the standing pins will shift the pin holder units 3, force plungers |2 upwardly against the pressure of springs |3|, and latches |5 will move into locking position beneath heads l4. The elevator then can be moved upwardly while any dead wood is swept from the alley. As pins are 1owered again to the bed, the finger 38 again engages with switch 37 to close the circuit and this time brush 46 will engage contact 44 on the timing switch device, the circuit will be energized, and solenoids 2i will operate to effect the release of the plungers !2, which thereupon release the pins from the holder unit upon the alley in the exact position occupied before being lifted. The elevator is then moved upwardly and the second ball is thrown, whereupon the alleyis swept of all remaining pins which are automatically conveyed to the transfer mechanism 'I' which has already received the pins knocked down by the first ball. The elevator now takes the full set of pins from the transfer mechanism and places them in spotted position on the alley bed, ready for the next player. Brush 48 engages contact 45 to close the circuit, switch 3'l having already been closed by the engagement with finger 38, the solenoids are again energized in order to release the pins from the holder units. The timing switch is rotated in a manner similar to that shown in the Schmidt application.

The invention above described may be varied in construction within the scope of the claims, for the particular device, selected to illustrate the invention, is but one of many possible concrete embodiments of the same. The invention is not, therefore, to be restricted to the precise details of the structure shown and described.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for setting pins upon a bed, a pin carrying elevator adapted to be raised and lowered, a plurality of pin gripping devices carried by said elevator, said devices comprising, grippers for gripping the heads of upright pins on said bed, a movable plunger coacting with each of said grippers for ejecting pins therefrom. and separate independently movable means arranged to lock each plunger individually against pin ejecting movement.

2. In an apparatus for setting pins upon a bed, a pin elevator adapted to be raised and lowered to and from said bed, pin transfer members carried by said elevator, each of said members comprising means for gripping the heads of upstand ing pins on said bed, a device associated with said means for ejecting pins from said means, and electrically controlled mechanism including separately movable elements coacting with each of said members for preventing the removal of said pins from each of said members.

3. In a pin setting apparatus, a pin elevator adapted to move pins to and from a bed, pin transfer members mounted upon said elevator, each of said members being provided with a casing having a pin receiving opening, pin holding gripping elements arranged to grip the heads of pins located about said opening, a spring mounted plunger mounted in each of said casings and normally tending to eject pins from said elements, and separate independently movable latches engageable'with each of said plungers for holding them against pin ejecting movement.

4. In an apparatus for setting pins upon a bed, a pin carrying elevator adapted to be raised and lowered with respect to said bed, a plurality of pin holding devices carried by said elevator for movement therewith, said device including means for supporting pins by their head ends, a pin ejector for each device, and separate individually operated latches coacting with each of said ejectors for controlling their movement.

5. In an apparatus for setting pins upon a bed, a pin carrying elevator arranged to be raised and lowered with respect to said bed, a plurality of pin gripper units mounted on said bed for gripping pins standing on said bed and lifting them therefrom for replacement thereon in the precise position previously occupied, a movable ejector in each of said units, means forcing each of said ejectors into pin ejecting position in said units, locking heads mounted on each of said ejectors, individually movable latches normally bearing against said heads when said ejectors are in ejecting position, and means for moving each of said latches independently into locking engagement with its respective head to cause said grippers to grip a pin whenever in the downward movement of the elevator a pin engages an ejector and forces it upwardly.

6. In an apparatus for setting pins upon a bed, a pin carrying elevator arranged to be raised and lowered with reference to said bed, pin holding mechanism carried by said elevator, said mechanism comprising grippers for placing pins on the bed upon the downward movements of the elevator, and for lifting upstanding pins from the bed on selected upward movements of the elevator, and an independently movable latch coacting with each of said grippers for controlling the operation of said grippers.

'7. In an apparatus for setting pins upon a bed,

a pin carrying elevator arranged to be raised and lowered with respect to said bed, pin holding mechanism mounted upon and moving with said elevator, said mechanism comprising a plurality of grippers operative to set pins on the bed on the the downward movement of the elevator, and to grip and raise upstanding pins on selected upward movements of said elevator, and electrically operated latching mechanism including separately movable elements controlling the independent operation of each of said grippers.

8. In an apparatus for setting pins upon a bed, a pin carrying elevator turnable from a pin receiving to a pin setting position, means for turning said elevator for transferring a plurality of pins from said receiving position for release in predetermined playing arrangement upon said bed at said setting position, a plurality of pin holding devices movable with respect to said elevator carried by said elevator for holding said pins, and means for locking said devices against relative movement with respect to said elevator during the transfer of said pins from said receiving position to said setting position upon said bed.

9. In an apparatus for setting pins upon a bed, a pin carrying elevator turnable from a pin receiving to a pin setting position, means for turning said elevator for transferring a plurality of pins from said receiving position for release in predetermined positions upon said bed at said setting position, a plurality of pin holding devices carried by said elevator for holding said pins, and means for preventing movement of said devices relative to said elevator during the transfer of said pins from said receiving position to said bed, said devices also being independently operable subsequently to lift pins from said bed and relocate them thereon in the same playing position each lifted pin occupied whenever they are lifted from said bed to allow for the removal of fallen pins.

10. In an apparatus for setting pins upon a bed, a pin carrying elevator arranged to turn, transfer a plurality of pins from a receiving station and release them in predetermined positions on said bed, a plurality of movable pin holding devices carried by said elevator for holding said pins, means for locking said devices against relative movement with respect to said elevator while said elevator is moving during said transferof pins, a pin ejector for each device, and separate individually operated latches coacting with each of said ejectors for holding them against pin ejecting movement.

11. In an apparatus for setting pins upon a bed, a pin carrier adapted to be raised and low ered, a plurality of pin holding devices carried by said carrier, a pin ejector for each of said devices, means for mounting said devices for horizontal shifting movement with respect to pins standing on said bed, whereby pins maybe lifted from the bed and subsequently be relocated thereon in the exact position from which they were removed, and separate individually movable controlled means for each of said devices for effecting the release of pins therefrom.

12. In an apparatus for setting pins upon a bed, a pin carrier adapted to be raised and lowered, a plurality 01' pin holding devices carried by said carrier, 8. pin ejector for each of said devices, means for mounting said devices for horizontal shifting movement with respect to pins standing on said bed, whereby pins may be lifted from the bed and subsequently be returned to the exact position from which they were removed, means for holding said devices against said shifting movement, and separate individually controlled, movable means for each of said devices for effecting the release of pins therefrom.

13. In an apparatus for setting pins, a pin carrier to be arranged to be raised and lowered, a plurality of pin holding members supported-on said carrier, said members being mounted for horizontal shifting movement on said carrier whereby they may shift to align themselves with upright pins on said bed whenever pins are to be lifted and returned to said bed in order to reposition said pins on said bed in exactly the same position they occupied prior to removal,

and independent electrically operated devices associated with each of said members for effecting the release of pins from said members.

14. In an apparatus for setting pins upon a bed, a pin carrying elevator arranged to transfer a plurality of pins from a receiving station ried by said elevator for holding said pins, a pin ejector for each device, and separate individually operated latches coacting with each of said ejectors for holding them against pin ejecting movement.

15. In an apparatus for setting pins upon a bed, a pin carrying elevator arranged to transfer a plurality of pins from a receiving station and release them in predetermined positions on said bed, a plurality of pin holding devices carried by said elevator for holding said pins, a pin ejector for each device, separate individually operated latches coacting with each of said ejectors for holding them against pin ejecting movement, and means controlled by the position of the elevator for operating said latches to effect the release of said pins.

16. In an apparatus for setting pins upon a bed, a pin carrying elevator adapted to be raised and lowered with respect to said bed, a plurality of pin holding devices-carried by said elevator for movement therewith, ejecting means for said devices, separate individually operated latches coacting with each of said means for controlling the operation of said means, controlled mechanism cooperating with said elevator to deliver pins held thereby upon said alley including, a timing switch, electrical connections for each of said means, and means for closing the circuit through said means on selected movement of said elevator.

17. In an apparatus for setting pins upon a bed, a pin carrying elevator arranged to be raised and lowered with reference to said bed, pin holding mechanism carried by said elevator, said mechanism comprising, grippers for placing pins on the bed and for lifting upstanding pins in order to provide for the removal of fallen pins therefrom, individual electric controls for each of said pin holding mechanisms, an electric cir cult, means carried by said elevator for closing said circuit on the down movement of the elevator, of a timing mechanism for selectively operating said pin holding mechanism for releasing pins held thereby when said elevator is in its lowered position.

RUPERT E RUNDELL.

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