US2646984A

US2646984A - Pinfall signaling mechanism

Info

Publication number: US2646984A
Application number: US59739A
Authority: US
Inventors: Patterson Morehead
Original assignee: AMF Inc
Current assignee: AMF Inc
Priority date: 1948-11-12
Filing date: 1948-11-12
Publication date: 1953-07-28
Anticipated expiration: 1970-07-28

Description

July 28, 1953 M. PATTERSON PINFALL SIGNALING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 12, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR MOREHEAD- PATTERSON ATTORNEY i y 8, 1953 M- PATTERSON ,646,984

PINFALL SIGNALING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 12, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 438 P Li 532 INVENTOR MOREHEAD PATTERSON y 1953 M. PATTERSON 2,646,984

PINFALL SIGNALING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 12, 1948 s Sheets-Sheet 3 TO RZ-RS I INVENTOR MOREHEAD PATTERSON ATTORN Y Patented July 28, 1953 UNITED STATES PIN FALL SIGNALING MECHANISM Morehead Patterson, New York, N. Y., assignor to American Machine & Foundry Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application November 12, 1948, Serial No. 59,739

6 Claims.

This invention relates to the art of bowling, and more particularly to mechanism for indicating or signalling the pin-fall results obtained by each ball of a frame rolled by a bowler.

The invention creates generally to improvements in means for use in a, bowling pin spotting machine such as shown in copending Fluke and Flint application, S. N. 59,706, filed November 12, 1948, for Bowling Pin Spotting Machine, in which after each ball of a frame is rolled, mechanism is actuated to test for the presence or absence of standing pins, and selectively actuated signalling means operatively associated therewith is operated to indicate visibly by means of an annunciator or similar device, the number of pins knocked down by each ball, the positions of standing and fallen pins, and also the occurrence of strikes and spares.

The problem solved by the present invention is that of providing a device for placing bowling pins on a bowling alley having mechanism associated therewith, such as each set of movable grippers forming a part of each respotter unit of the type disclosed in the above referred to application, such that the several sets of grippers when located in gripper operating position are moved towards each other, or into gripping relationship relative to standing on or off-spot pins, and selectively operated detecting devices operate signals in an annunciator and indicate the presence or absence of standing pins. In this manner, positive visual information is given that certain pins are standing or that a strike or a spare has been made, as the case may be. The pin respotting units are carried by a table movable into testing or pin gripping position adjacent a bowling alley after each ball of a frame is rolled, so that the signalling mechanism can be operated. In this way a compete visual picture is given to the bowler of the results obtained for every ball he rolls. While reference is made to the co-pending Fluke and Flint application, as disclosing a machine in which the subject matter of the invention is readily adaptable, it is within the contemplation of this invention to use my improved indicating and signalling mechanism on other machines of the same general type with which it can be adapted.

It is an object of my invention to provide an improved pin-fall detecting and indicating mechanism including an annunciator for use in signalling the pin-fall resulting from each ball rolled by a bowler.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a novel pin-fall signalling device including detecting elements which test for the presence or absence of standing pins on a bowling alley after each ball of a frame is rolled, and control mechanism operatively connected with the detecting elements for operating the signalling de- 2 vice to show the pin-fall results for each ball, and the positions of standing pins on the alley.

The invention also consists in improvements in detecting elements and devices associated therewith for placing bowling pins on the playing bed of a bowling alley, wherein the testing devices are actuated after each ball .of a frame is rolled to test for the presence or absence of standing bowling pins, and selective mechanism operated in response to the operation of the detecting elements to actuate signals in order to make known visually play by play results, including the occurrence of spares and strikes.

My invention is further characterized by the provision of bowling pin detecting and signalling mechanism which is operative to detect automatically the presence or absence of non-conducting, unmodified bowling pins, and after each ball of a, frame is rolled, to actuate signalling mechanism to inform a bowler of the presence or absence of pins standing on a bowling alley.

My invention also consists in the provision of detecting devices associated with sets of opposed grippers whereby during the play of a game, the engagement or non-engagement of standing pins by the grippers selectively actuates an annunciator which apprises a bowler and those watching the game of the pinfall results obtained by each ball of a frame rolled.

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 set forth in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, and wherein the several reference characters designate the same or like elements:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a pin spotting and respotting device embodying the pin detecting and signalling means operating mechanism of the invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a portion of the mechanism shown in Fi ure 1; and

Figure 3 is a wiring diagram showing a preferred system for operating and controlling the operation of the signalling mechanism of the invention.

Referring to the drawings which show a preferred embodiment of the invention in Figures 1 and 2, there is disclosed a pin spotting and re spotting table designated generally I.

The construction of table T may be the same as that disclosed and described in detail in the above referred to copending Fluke and Flint application. The description and showing of this mechanism in this application is therefore limited to what is deemed necessary to a full understanding of the invention.

Table T preferably has the form of a generally triangular framework which supports the spotting and respotting devices. Attached to the opposite rear corners of table T, as viewed at the top of Figure l, are supports 332, each of which mounts a guide plate 334 which engages and runs in spaced sets of guide rollers 335 mounted in brackets 338 attached to side frames I33. In this manner table T is guided in its movement to and from a pin receiving position beneath a pin assembling mechanism (not shown), a pin spot-' ting position, and a pin respotting position relative to a bowling alley upon which bowling pins are spotted and respotted,

In order to lower, raise and position table T for testing for the presence or absence of standing pins after each ball of a frame is rolled, there is provided a cross shaft 345 mounted in hearings in brackets 342 attached to the frame structure of table T. At its extremities, shaft 343 supports crank arms mounted for free rotation thereon. Connecting rods 346 connect the free ends of crank arms 544 to driving arms (not shown) fixed to the ends of a drive shaft (not shown) which, with other actuating mechanism (not shown), is operative to lower and raise table T, and locate it at the desired position where gripper bars 454 are actuated to engage standing on and off-spot pins to be respotted, and also to test for the presence or absence of pins standing on the alley after each ball of a frame is rolled. The specific operating connections and mechanisms for moving table T upwardly and downwardly and holding it positioned at signal operating position are not a part of the present invention and are therefore omitted in the interest of brevity. Reference is made to the co-pending Fluke and Flint application for a complete disclosure of this mechanism.

Mounted on the upper part of table T is a triangularly arranged plurality of pin spotting units 5|, each of which includes a pin guiding funnel F and a set of movable pin supporting plates or trap doors 452 located therebeneath constructed and operated as disclosed in said Fluke and Flint application. Bowling pins to be placed in triangular spotted playing positions on a bowling alley are delivered by doors 452 at the proper time in spotted playing arrangement on the alley.

Table T is provided with a lower frame consisting of spaced

transverse channel sections

436, 438, 440, 442 and 444 connected by laterally spaced longitudinal channels 446 to form an assembly which makes up a-series of ten substantially rectangular cells R. Each cell R has its central vertical axis disposed in substantially vertical alignment with the axis of one of a set of ten pins P supported in spotter units 5| corresponding to the playing positions the pins occupy on the alley.

Mounted in the lower frame of table T within each cell R is a pair of opposed bars or rods 454 which perform the functions of gripping pins to be lifted and respotted, and also testing for the presence or absence of standing pins after each ball of a frame is rolled. Bars or rods 454 are located beneath and in symmetrical arrangement with each set of doors 452. They may be formed of wood, metal, plastic or combinations. Each bar preferably is provided with a covering, such as a resilient material, usually rubber, which insures a firm grip on the neck of a pin and tends to prevent marring or other damage thereto.

It is evident that since each bar 454 is elongated, the presence or absence of a pin, which may be quite far off-spot, can be detected, and

made known on the annunciator 20. It is also to be noted that my improved mechanism operates with free, conventional types of bowling pins and does not require that they be modified or provided with conducting elements in order to obtain the desired results.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, each of the doors 452 of a pin spotter unit 5| consists essentially of a rectangular support, attached to or formed integrally with a hinge member 458 pivotally mounted on hinge pin 4B9. Doors 452 perform the dual function of supporting and guiding pins to be spotted, and also holding pins to be lifted and respotted in their respective on or off-spot positions so that such pins can be gripped properly for lifting and respotting. For this reason, the underside of each door preferably is provided with an undersurface which, when table T is lowered to respotting position, engages the head end of a standing pin and holds it firmly against lateral movement on the alley. A resilient material, such as sponge rubber pad 453, has been found to be satisfactory for this purpose.

The gripper bars 454 of each set in cells R are operated at the proper time to move towards each other in a plane substantially parallel with the surface of the playing bed of a bowling alley for gripping and holding any standing pins for lifting and respotting on the bowling alley. Gripper bars 454 are actuated, as described hereinafter, to grip and hold such standing on and offspot pins after each ball of a frame, except the last ball. After each ball, however, gripper bars 454 are moved towards each other and in this manner, they test for the presence or absence of any standing on or ofi-spot pins and actuate mechanism described hereinbelow to indicate the pinfall effected by each ball rolled.

The opposed pairs of gripper bars 454, as indi cated in Figure 1, extend longitudinally relative to a bowling alley, although if desired, they could extend transversely or at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the frame of table T. In their full open or inoperative positions, bars :154 are located adjacent the opposite sides of cells B. One end of each gripper bar 454 is provided with a freely rotatable roller located beneath a guide bar 533 attached to a channel section, as for example 436. Roller 539 runs on a flange 53! formed on a transverse horizontal track bar 532 attached to a transverse member of a cell R.

In the illustrated embodiment, see Figures 1 and 2, actuation of each set of gripper bars 454 is effected by a self-centering five-bar linkage unit consisting of a pair of downwardly extending links 534, a pair of links and a cross link 538. A common pivot 53!? between links 536 is attached to a slide 540 mounted for movement in a vertical guide track 542 attached to the upper flange of one of the transverse channels 436-444 by a clip 543, depending on the location of each slide 545 in relation to the triangulariy arranged sets of actuating links and levers. The outer ends of links 535 are pivotally attached at 537 to the upper ends of links 534, which in turn are pivotally connected between their ends to link 538. The structure of and means for operating the five bar linkage unit are essentially the same as shown and described in said Fluke et al. application. Since this structure and means form no specific part of the present invention, further description and showing herein are deemed unnecessary.

Tension springs 545 are attached to the lower end of track 542 and to clips (not shown) on pendant links 534. Springs 546 'are used to balance out the otherwise unbalanced forces occurring when the linkage mechanism is in one or another of its off center positions.

In operation, the simultaneous upward movement of the several slides 549 causes an angular displacement of the five-bar linkages described, such that gripper bars 454 will be urged away from each other into their inoperative positions. This movement of gripper bars 454 is confined to a straight line motion in a horizontal plane by virtue of the roller and

track arrangements

530, 532. Similarly, a downward motion of slide 540 causes gripper bars 454 to move towards each other. When this occurs, each pair of gripper bars 454 can assume any .position between the sides of its cell R depending upon the onor onspot position of the pin engaged, or engaged and gripped by them. In the embodiment illustrated and as mentioned above, there are provided come pressible clamping surfaces which clamp pins engaged by bars 454 upon the alley. In the operation of the pin detecting and signalling mechanism of the present invention, these clamping surfaces can be omitted if desired. Thus, when a normal on-spot pin is to be engaged by bars 454, or gripped and held thereby, each of the bars 454 moves substantially the same distance from its inoperative position adjacent the side of a cell R into gripping engagement with the opposite sides of the neck of a pin. Gripping bars 454 are so located that when table T is located in position to test for the presence or absence of standing pins, or pin gripping position, bars 454 can engage and grip the necks of any standing pins to be lifted, or release the necks of any respotted pins.

If a pin to be lifted and respotted occupies an ofi-spot position, each bar 454 of a set of bars in a cell R is moved in such a manner that as soon as the bar 454 nearest the pin engages it, the movement of the bar is arrested.- The other gripper bar 454 of the pair, however, continues its forward movement into gripping engagement ,with the opposite side of the neck of the pin,

whereupon its motion is arrested and the pin is firmly gripped for lifting. The same operation takes place simultaneously with each of the ten pairs of gripper bars 454. It will be seen, therefore, that because of its operating connections,

each bar 454 is given an on-spot, off-spot range which allows each pair of bars to grip a pin anywhere within the general area of a cell R. The provision of elongated gripper bars or rollers 454 makes possible the positive gripping of on and off-spot pins over substantially the entire area occupied by bowling pins on the pin supporting deck of an alley, which is a greater area than heretofore available for this purpose. Parallelism of gripper bars 454 is maintained by the inherent torsional rigidity of pendant links 534 coupled with the resistance to bending and torsion of the rest of the five-bar linkage, and its associated parts and attachments, which make possible the individual and differential travel of each bar 454 of a pair of gripper bars 454 towards an on or off-spot pin.

Since the operation of the gripper mechanism in each cell R is identical; the description is lim ited to the operation of one set of gripper bars 454, such as shown in cell R, Figures 1 and 2, corresponding to #1 pin position.

A crank arm 590 is freely journalled on shaft 566 near its center. shaft 566 adjacent crank arm 599. A drive pin A collar 592 is secured to 593, Figure 2, fixed to collar 592 engages slot 594 in crank arm 590. A torque spring 596 surrounding shaft 555 has one end attached to crank arm 599 and its opposite end to an adjusting sleeve 598 encircling shaft 566 and terminating at a point adjacent the hub of arm 599. Also attached to sleeve 598 is one end of locking spring 600 which frictionally engages shaft 566 to positively position and lock spring 596 with respect to shaft 566. The spring force exerted by spring 596 is such as to urge the outer end of crank arm 590 in a downward direction with respect to shaft 566, but such movement is normally prevented by drive pin 593 engaging the end of slot 594, as indicated in Figure 2. The outer end of crank arm 599 is pivotally attached at GM to one end of a connecting link 502. The other end of connecting link 602 is attached by a cross-pin to pivot 539 between slide 549 and links 535. It can be seen that a counterclockwise motion of crank arm 599 will, through connecting link 602, cause a downward movement of slide 549. Conversely, a clockwise motion of crank arm 590 will cause an upward movement of slide 540. This is the motion necessary for the operation of the five-bar linkage which in turn actuates gripper arms 454 in the manner described.

As slide 540 is moved downwardly, gripper bars 454 engage and grip the neck of a pin; further counter-clockwise motion of crank arm 590 is arrested. Drive pin 593 attached to collar 592 on shaft 569, may, however, continue its counter-clockwise motion within the space provided by slot 594. This allows, in a cell where no pin is present, continued counter-clockwise motion of crank arm 59!), drive pin 593, and the accompanying shaft as contrasted to an arrested or shorter stroke motion of crank arm 594.

The operating crank arm 590 for each set of gripper bars 454 is provided with a tab 604, Figure 2. A switch bracket 588, on which is mounted an operating switch, such as switch SWI for #1 pin grippers, and a switch actuator BIB are also provided for each set of grippers 454. Each tab 604 is provided with an adjustable operating set screw 566. Since there are ten sets of grippers 454, ten switches SWI-SWIO inclusive are provided. These switches are connected in the operating control circuit shown in Figure 3 and described in detail hereinbelow.

In operation, when table T is located at pin testing position after a ball is rolled, which is also the respotting position, each set of grippers is actuated and gripper bars 454 move towards each other. In the event that a set of gripper bars 454 engage a standing on or off-spot pin as they move together, the set screw 595 of this set of grippers is prevented from engaging its switch actuator, say actuator BIB of switch SWI. Therefore switch SWI is not operated and a signal, such as the signal light corresponding to pin #1, glows, thereby indicating in annunciator 29 that #1 pin is standing. Because of the relatively wide operating range of elongated gripper bars 454, it is immaterial whether pin #1 is on or oiT-spot. A similar operation takes place for all other standing pins; the engagement of any set of gripper bars with a standing pin preventing the operation of the switch which controls the operation of a suitable signal, such as a light in annunciator 29 corresponding to the position of that standing pin.

If any pin, say pin #1, has been knocked down,

gripper bars 454 continue their movement to wards and into engagement with each other; In this case, crank arm 590, which operates the set of grippers 454 corresponding to #1 pin posi tion, moves tab 664 to such an extent that set screw 606 thereon engages and operates switch actuator em for the corresponding switch SWI, operating the switch and preventing signal light No. 1 from glowing. A similar operation takes place with all other sets of grippers 454 where pins have been knocked down by the same ball. It can be seen that the presence or absence of standing pins after each ball of a frame is rolled, is detected automatically and an electrically operated control circuit is employed to visually indicate in annunciator 20 the pin-fall result. In the case of a strike or when all pins are knocked down by the first ball of a frame, all switches SWI-SV/IS are operated and none of the pin signals 1-10 inclusive is operated. Instead, a signal, such as a separate strike light ST, see Figure 3, is energized to show that a strike has been made. If a spare is made or when all pins not knocked down by the first ball are felled by the second ball of a frame, a separate spare signal, such as light SP, is operated to indicate visually the result obtained. While the pin-fall signals have been described as being lights, if desired, other suitable types of visual signals could be employed. It will be noted, as shown in Figure 3, that the ten signal lights, which are used to indicate visually the pin-fall results or each ball thrown, are arranged in conformity with the customary playing arrangement of pins on a bowling alley. Obviously, any other desired arrangement could be employed.

In the description hereinabove, the selective signal operating mechanism is operated in such a manner that the pin position signals or lights in annunciator 20 are operated to indicate the pins which remain standing after each ball is rolled. It is possible that it might be desirable to indicate instead, the pins which have been knocked down. In this case, switches SWI-SW i 8 inclusive can be so connected in the control circult that pin signals or lights corresponding to fallen pins can be energized, and pin signals 01' lights corresponding to standing pins remain inoperative.

A wiring diagram of a control system suitable for carrying out the desired operations of the detecting and signalling mechanisms described hereinabove, is shown in Figure 3. The operation is as follows:

Pin spotting-respotting table T carries ten normally closed pin switches SWl-SWES inclusive, each of which is connected to a relay Ri-RH) inclusive, respectively. All ten relays are assembled in a control box B, and each individual relay, in a manner described below, is connected to a pin signal lamp 1-10 inclusive, respectively, assembled in an annunciator 29. Each relay RI-Riil is provided with three sets of normally open contacts. Contacts a may be called holdin contacts. Contacts 1) can be termed no-pin standing contacts, and contacts c," pin light energizing contacts.

Annunciator 28 also supports a spare signal lamp SP and a strike indicator lamp ST. Signal light SP is connected to a set of normally open contacts of spare relay BIZ, and signal light ST is connected to a set of normally open contacts of strike relay RI4. The circuit includes also a so-called no-pin standing relay RIB, a ratchet relay Hi8 of any suitable well-known design, and

a pin light hold-in relay R20. The circuit furthermore includes three

control cams

22, 24 and 26, all of which are secured to a shaft 28 which is driven by suitable mechanism from the table drive (not shown) and in proper timed relation with the movement of table T. Each cam rotates 180 for each cycle of the table, i. e. for each ball of a frame rolled by a bowler.

It is assumed that ten pins are standing on the alley and the player rolls his first ball and knocks down the #1 and #10 pins. After the ball reaches the end of the alley, the machine is set in operation and table T descends toward the alley. The movement of the table also starts the turning of cam shaft 28, and

cams

22, 24, and 26 turn in the direction indicated by the arrows. When table T reaches a predetermined height above the alley, grippers 454 close and securely hold those pins which are now standing, namely, pins #2-#9 inclusive. Those grippers which find no standing pins, close together, and in so doing, set screws 666 on tabs 604, corresponding to pins #1 and #10, engage switch actuators 610 and open normally closed pin switches SW! and SW"). At this point, the control earns 22 and 24 have advanced sufficiently to cause cam 22 to close contacts 22a, and cam 24 to close contacts 241. The closing of contacts 22a permits current to flow from the power line 30 through closed switches SW2-SW9 inclusive and through the coils of their respective light relays R2-R9 inclusive, thereby energizing these relays. The closing of contacts 241' permits current to flow through a switch 241]. which energizes hold-in relay R20, the closing of which in turn provides power through the now closed contacts R2a-R9a of relays R2-R9 inclusive, which are held in. The energization of these relays causes the closing of contacts R2b-R9b, and also contacts R20- R inclusive. The closing of the latter effects a lighting of the pin indicator lights 2-9 in annunciator 29. The Rib-RIM) contacts on RI- Rlfl relays are provided for the purpose of causing energization of the no-pin standing relay R16 if one or more of the Rl-RID relays are energized. The energization of relay RIB causes the opening of contacts 16a which prevents the flow of power to either contacts 261- or 26L It is evident from the foregoing that the opening of switches SWI and SWiD prevents current from flowing to their respective relays RI and RH], which in turn prevent the #1 and #10 pin signal lights in annunciator 20 from glowing while signal lights #2-#9 inclusive are energized and give visible indication that all pins but Nos. 1 and 10 remain standing on the alley after the first ball is thrown by the player. Table T then rises, lifting pins Nos. 2-9 inclusive, and the alley is cleared of the fallen pins by means of a suitable sweep (not shown), after which table T descends and respots pins Nos. 2-9 inclusive on the alley. Table T then rises and remains inan up position, thereby ending what may be termed the first ball cycle of the machine. As soon as the table comes to rest, shaft 28 also comes to rest, and cam 22 stops in a position which causes contacts 22a to open, thereby preventing power from flowing through contacts 220. to relays R2-R9, which were formerly energized by this means.

Since it may be desirable to keep the pin signal lights, indicating standing pins, lighted until the bowler has thrown his second ball, cam 24 is so designed that contacts 241" remain closed until table T starts to move downwardly again at the beginning of the second ball cycle. As mentioned heretofore, the closing of contacts 241* effects a hold-in of all formerly energized relays R2-R9. After the bowler has thrown the second ball of the frame, table T descends again. This effects the rotation of contact cam .shaft 28, causing cam 24 to open contacts 241", permitting relays R.2-R9 inclusive, which were locked-in, to fall out before table T reaches the alley to test for the presence or absence of pins on the alley during the second ball cycle.

When table T reaches its predetermined position above the alley and grippers 454 close to contact any pins remaining standing after the second ball of a frame is rolled, the same operation takes place as during the first ball. cycle, namely: cam 22 recloses contacts 22a, cam 24 recloses contacts 241', and only those relays RI-RI inclusive are energized which are supplied with current through their respective switches SWI- SWIG, which remain closed because their respective grippers engage standing pins. This will therefore cause an energization of their respective relays, which in turn will light only the respective pin signal lights in annunciator 20 indicating which pin or pins remain standing after the second ball is thrown by a bowler. During a second ball cycle, grippers 454 are only closed for the purpose of detecting the presence or absence of standing pins, after which they open again and table T rises above the alley, which is then cleared of all fallen and/or standing pins by means of a suitable sweep (not shown). Table T then descends a second time and places a new set of pins on the alley, after which the table rises again and remains in an up position above the alley. The machine is now ready for a new frame of bowling. Cam 24 is so designed as to permit all relays RI-RIII to drop out at the end of the second cycle, while at the end of the first cycle, the energized relays are held in locked-in position until the beginning of the second cycle.

Spare-In case the player has knocked down all pins during the second ball cycle, all grippers 454, finding no standing pins, close together and cause the opening of all switches SWI- SWIE! inclusive, thereby preventing the energization of all relays RI-RIIJ inclusive. Since none of these relays is energized, relay contact I But remains closed. In the meantime, the high portion of cam 26 has reached a position where it effects a closing of its left side contact 261, permitting current to flow from the power line 30 through contacts I6a, 261, switch 26a, and a normally closed contact RI 4c of relay RI 4 to energize spare signal light relay RI 2. The energization of relay RIZ closes its contacts RIZa, resulting in the lighting of the spare signal light SP in annunciator 20. At the end of the second ball cycle, the power is interrupted again as contacts 261 are opened again by the low portion of cam 26.

Strike-In case all pin are knocked down by the first ball after table T descends to the alley, all grippers 454 move towards each other to test for the presence or absence of standing pins in the usual manner. Since no pins are standing, grippers 454 close all the way, causing the opening of all switches SWI-SWIQ inclusive, and none of the relay RI-RIG is energized. Therefore, relay RIE remains inactive and contacts lea remain in closed position. Since the turning of shaft 28 cause the high portion of cam 26 to close contacts 261*, current is now supplied from the power line 36 through contacts IEa, 2-61", and switch 2% to ratchet relay R I 8, causing energiza- 10 tion of the latter. The ratchet relay RIB ac= tuates a cam 32 provided with equally spaced alternating high and low portions which engage a cam follower on one end of a bell crank lever 34 while the other end of bell crank lever 34 is connected to a rod 36 which engages with the switches 24a, 26b and 25a. The hook-up is arranged in such a manner that all

switches

24a, 25b and 26a close their right side contacts when bell crank lever 34 engages a low portion of cam 32, and switch over and close their left side contacts when lever 34 engages a high portion of cam 32. The action of the ratchet relay Rl8 is such that upon each energization, cam 32 is turned in such a manner as to alternately engage a high and low portion with bell crank lever 34. Ratchet relay RI8 is also provided with a I normally open contact 18a, which is momentarily closed upon each energization of relay RI8. Therefore, when ratchet relay RIS is energized, as described above, contacts Illa are closed momentarily and provide power for the energization of strike relay RM. The latter is locked-in immediately by power provided through contacts 22a which are closed due to the rotation of cam 22. As mentioned heretofore, th energization of ratchet relay RIB causes the movement of bell crank lever 34 to shift

switches

24a, 26b, and 26a. Although switch 26b caused the energization of ratchet relay RiS, due to the shifting of switch 26?), power to relay RI8 is interrupted and it is almost immediately de-energized. Since strike relay R i 4, as described above, is locked-in through its contacts Rlsa, its second set of contacts RMb remain also closed and cause the strike signal light ST in annunciator 20 to glow. The third set of contacts RI4c remain open so long as relay RI i is energized, thus preventing any current from reaching spare light SP. Strike light ST is extinguished near th end of the cycle when cam 22 causes the opening of contacts 22a and interrupts the current to strike relay RI4. It is evident that the shifting of

switches

24a, 26b, and 26a is of importance in order to shift the signal control mechanism back to a first ball cycle each time after a strike is made by the bowler.

The invention above described may be varied in construction within the scope of the claims, for the particular mbodiments selected to illustrate the invention are but a few of the possible concrete forms which the invention may assume. Th invention, therefore, is not to be restricted to the precise details of the structures shown and described.

What is claimed is:

1. Pin signalling mechanism for use with a bowling pin spotting machine comprising a member movable to and from the playing bed of a bowling alley, an annunciator, said annunciator including a plurality of pin signal lights arranged in conformity with the playing arrangement of pins on said alley bed, pin holding units on said member, said units including sets of opposed grippers carried by said member and arranged in a pattern conforming to the playing arrangement of pins on said alley bed, annunciator operating mechanism for energizing said lights subsequent to the positioning of said member in pin gripping position above said alley, said mechanism including individual switch means normally operable to energize corresponding signal lights, means operative in response to the throwing of a ball for moving said sets of grippers towards each other, and means operative in response to the movement of said gripper moving means beyond a position necessary to engage said grippers with standing pins for incapacitating said switch means corresponding to sets of grippers not gripping pins.

2. In a bowling pin spotting machine for use with a bowling alley, a device adapted to be moved to and from said alley for placing pins in playing arrangement thereon, sets of opposed pin holding grippers mounted on said device, individual operating means for said sets of grippers, individual switches for connection in a signal circuit, and means for operating corresponding switches in response to closing movement of any of said gripper operating means beyond the position necessary for bringing the grippers of a set of grippers into engagement with a standing pin.

3. In a bowling pin-fall signalling mechanism, a device for spotting and respotting bowling pins on the playing bed of a bowling alley, an annunciator, said annunciator having a strike signal and a plurality of signals for registering pin-fall, each of said signals representing the position a pin corresponding thereto occupies on said bed of said bowling alley, sets of pin grippers carried by said device, means for operating each of said sets of grippers, switch operating means connected to each of said gripper operating means, a switch mounted in position to be engaged by each of said operating means, an electric circuit connecting said strike signal and said switches and said pinfall registering signals, and means individual to each set of grippers operative in response to the rolling of a ball for actuating asid gripper operating means to move said grippers towards each other to test for the presence or absence of standing pins on said alley bed, mechanism actuated by said gripper operating means in response to the movement of said gripper operating means beyond a position necessary to engage said grippers with a standing pin for operating the switches corresponding to grippers not engaging standing pins for actuating signals corresponding to the positions of fallen pins, and other means operative in response to the falling of all pins for operating said strike signal.

4. In a bowling pin spotting machine for use with a bowling alley having a bed adapted to support a plurality of bowling pins, a device adapted to be moved to and from said bed for placing bowling pins in playing arrangement on said alley bed and for testing for the presence or absence of pins standing thereon after the rolling of a ball, anannu-nciator, said annunciator including a separate strike light, a separate spare light and a plurality of pin signal lights arranged in conformit with the playing arrangement of pins on said alley bed, sets of opposed pin grippers mounted on said device, an annunciator operating element operatively connected with each of said sets of grippers, means mounting said sets of grippers on said device in an arrangement conforming substantially with the playing arrangement of bowling pins on said alley bed, means individual to each set of grippers operative in response to the rolling of a ball for moving said opposed grippers toward each other into position to engage opposite sides of the neck portions of standing pins, and selective control mechanism actuated in response to the movement of said last named means beyond a position necessary to engage said grippers with a standing pin for selectively operating selected signals corresponding to pins not stand- 12 ing on said alley to indicate visibly the result of each ball of a frame rolled, and other means operative in response to the movement of said last-named means of all sets of grippers beyond said position for actuating said strike or said spare light.

5. In a bowling pin spotting machine for use with a bowling alley having a bed adapted to support a plurality of bowling pins, a device for placing bowling pins in playing arrangement on said alley bed, an annunciator, said annuciator including a separate strike light, a separate spare light and a plurality of pin signal lights arranged in conformity with the playing arrangement of pins on said alley bed, sets of opposed pin grippers mounted on said device, an an-- nunciator operating element operatively connected with each of said sets of grippers, means mounting said sets. of grippers on said device in an arrangement conforming substantially with the playing arrangement of bowling pins on said alley bed, means individual to each set of grippers operative in response to the throwing of a ball for moving said opposed grippers towards each other into position to engage the oppo- Site sides of the handle ends of standing pins, selective control mechanism actuated by said last-named means in response to the movement of any of said last-named means beyond a position necessary to engage said grippers with a standing pin for selectively operating signals corresponding to fallen pins not gripped by said grippers to indicate visibly the result of each ball of a frame rolled, and other selective control mechanism operative by said last-named means if all pins are knocked down by the first ball of a frame for actuating said strike signal or for actuating said spare signal if all pins are knocked down by the second ball of a frame.

6. In a bowling pin spotting machine, a bowling pin spotting table, a plurality of sets of substantially triangularly arranged spotting units mounted, on said table, each of said units including clamping means, and a set of opposed grippers, said table being adapted to be located in position to engage said means in clamping relationship with pins standing on a bowling alley after a ball is rolled, gripper operating means operative while said pins are held clamped against lateral movement on said alley to move said sets of grippers adjacent standing on or cit-spot pins into gripping engagement with opposite sides of said standing pins, an annunciator including individual signals for each of said sets of grippers, an annunciator operating mechanism, and selectively operated means actuated by said gripper operating means in response to the movement of said gripper operating means beyond a point necessary to engage a set of grippers with a standing pin for actuating said an-nunci-ator operating mechanism to energize a signal corresponding to a fallen pin not gripped by the grippers of said set of grippers and indicate the pinfall results of said ball.

MOREI-IEAD. PATTERSON.

References Cited inv the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,300,802 Parra et al. Nov. 3, 1942 2,338,733 Patterson et a1 Jan. 11, 1944. 2,388,708 Bates Nov. 1-3, 1945