US2551272A - Metal-reinforced plastic bowling pin - Google Patents

Description

May 1, 1951 s L. LEONARD, SR

METAL-REINFORCED PLASTIC BOWLING PIN 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 20, 1945 May 1, 1951 s. LEONARD, sR

METAL-REINFORCED PLASTIC BOWLING PIN 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 20, 1945 Patented May 1, 1 951 V g 2,551,272 METAL-REINFORCFIJ IENPLASTIC BOWLING Summers L. Leonard, Sn, Johnson City, Tenn.,

assignor of one-half to Raymond Herbert Russell, Johnson City, Tenn.

Application November 20, 1945, Serial No. 629,891

2 Claims. 1 This invention is a game piece or pin of the type designed for use in playing ten pins, duck pins, candle pins, and other similar games. One of the objects of the invention is to provide a pin of the type mentioned having a body of molded plastic material in lieu of wood which is now commonly employed for the manufacture of such devices.

A further object is to provide a molded pin in which the body material is strongly reenforced without increasing the pin-weight beyond the maximum limit provided by the accepted rules of the game, so that the pin will not only resist the shocks of the ball-impact, but at the same time warping or other distortion of shape of the pin will be prevented.

A further object is to provide a pin designed for the purposes mentioned which may be easily and accurately molded in a manner to conform strictly with the weight and dimensions imposed by the standard rules of bowling.

The invention will be hereinafter fully set forth and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating one form of bowling pin constructed in accordance with the invention, taken on line l-l of Fig. 2.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view on the line 2-2, Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view illustrating the manner of connecting the wings of the reeriforcing core.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of one of the core wings detached.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 illustrating a slight modification of the latter.

7 Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 2 illustrating a modification of means for bracing the wings. w

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a bowling pin illustrating a second modification of the reenforcing core. I

Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating another modified form.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view on the line 99, Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view illustrating a modification of Figure 8.

Referring more particularly to Figures 1, 2 and 3, P designates a bowling pin molded of a suitable plastic material l0, having embedded therein a core C. Any desired plastic material or synthetic resin which is capable of withstanding the shocks incident to being struck by a heavy ball, may be employed. A satisfactory example is cellulose butyracetate because of its inherent elasticity. I

The core 0 is constructed of a plurality of equally spaced radially disposed wing-like members l I, each of which is constructed of rigid flat metal, and connected in suitable manner at their adjacent inner edges at positions I2 which coincide with the longitudinal axis of the pin. The members H may be constructed of any desired metal having the requisite rigidity, but it is preferred to construct them of aluminum or aluminum alloy, so as to keep the weight thereof at a minimum. The inner edges of said members may be joined by welding.

It will be noted that -'the outer edge of each member I I conforms to the general exterior contour of the completed pin, the inner edge being straight, so as to lie parallel with the longitudinal axis of the pin body. Each member ll is provided with one or more openings therein, as indicated at l3 and M, respectively. The number of said openings may vary, as may be desired, but in the smaller dimensioned pins the opening [3 will ordinarly not be used. If more than one of such openingsis employed they are arranged in longitudinally spaced relationship. The opening [4 is of substantial length and width as compared to the dimensions of the pin body P. It will also be observed that the plastic material In completely encloses and embeds the core members, to

any desired depth, and is provided with an axial portion 15 which extends through the openings I3 and l4,so as to surround and interlock with plate may be omitted if desired, and the opening I8 in the plastic material made somewhat deeper. It may also be desirable, in the case of the larger types of pins, to reenforce the core member 0. This may be done by welding or otherwise attaching an annular bracing member H! to the outer edges of the members I I, as shown in Figures 1 and 2; or by connecting said edges by means of horizontally disposed braces 20, extending diagonally from one member H to another, as shown in Figure 6. Obviously the bracing elements [9 and 20, may be used conjunctively, or either or both may be omitted without departing from the spirit of the invention.

edges of the members H are embedded within a body of plastic material members I l it belongs.

nected by a base plate 16 which is provided with a tubular boss Il to receive the peg of a,

Embedded axially within the pin-setting device. plastic material HJ is a core of cor-lg orsimilar resilient material indicatedaat 22.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig-. ures 8, 9 and 10, the wing-like members li are 1. A bowling pin of the character described, comprising a molded body of plastic material small at its upper end and relatively wide at its mid portion, a core member embedded within said body, said core member comprising a plurality of radially disposed wing-like members of rigid flat. metal having straight inner longitudinal edges in substantially abutting relationship in the longitudinal axis of said body, the outer edges of said members shaped to conform to the external contour 01. said body but located inwardly from the outer surface thereof, substantial portions of said wing-like members cut away to propractically the same as those illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. However, in the modifiediorm the inner edges of these members are welded or otherwise secured to a tubular member 30, which is disposed axially with respect to the pin body. The lower end 3| of said tube extends to the bottom plate [6 which is welded or otherwise secured to the member 30, as well as to the lower The members ll" lll which interlocks with openings 32 in said If desired, the base plate l6 may be provided with a tubular boss H which is externally threaded at its free end, as indicated at 33, Figure 10. Saidthreaded boss may be removably engageable with a complemental threaded portion 34 of the tube 30*.

The advantages of the invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which For instance, it will be observed that a very simple and inexpensive form of bowling pin is provided, that will conform to the standard weight and dimensions required by the accepted rules of the game.

It will also be noted that .a molded pin is provided which is strongly braced against distortion or warping by any cause, and which is so reenforced against shocks due to impact of the ball, as to provide a very durable construction.

It is to be understood that although the invention has been illustrated herein as embodying the contour of the commonly employed tenpin, it is not limited in this particular, because the contours of the reenforcing core may be varied to conform to the outside contours of .any other type of pin, without departing from of its use, what is claimed is:

vide elongated openings in the area of the wider .partssof said pin body and inwardly from the inner and outer longitudinal edges of said members, an annular band rigidly connected to the outer edges of said wing-like members at substantially the mid portion of said body, the plastic material of said body filling said elongated openings and covering the outer edges of said wing-like members as well as said annular band to securely anchor said members therein.

2. A bowling pin of the character described, comprising a molded body of plastic material, a core member embedded within said body, said core member comprising a plurality of radially disposed wing-like members of rigid .flat metal having straight inner longitudinal edges in substantially abutting relationship in the longitudinal axis of said body, the outer edges of said members shaped to conform to the external contour of said body but located inwardly from the outer surface thereof, bracing means disposed laterally of said core member and connecting the outer edges of said wing-like members, substantial portions of said wing-like members cut away to provide elongated openings in the area of the wider parts of said pin body and inwardly from the inner and outer longitudinal edges of said members, the plastic material of said body filling said elongated openings and covering said bracing means and said outer edges of the 'winglike members to securely anchor said members and bracing means within said body.

SUMMERS .L. LEONARD, SR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number .Name 'Date 833,882 Le Fevre Oct. .23, 1906 1,031,700 Fleming July 9, 1912 1,087,927 Deuther Feb. 24, 1914 1,170,339 'Romunder Feb. 1, 1916 1,205,278 Skalla Nov. 21, 1916 1,491,279 Stewart Apr. 22, 1924 1,520,109 .Bishop et al. Dec. .23, 1924 22,064,435 Loefiier Dec. 15, 1936 2,202,674 Seaman et al May 28, 1940 2,289,872 :Brinkman July .14, 1942

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