US2665131A - Bowling ball retarder - Google Patents

Description

O. SCHLAFENDER Jan. 5, 1954 BOWLING BALL. RETARDER sheets-sheet 1 Filed Sept. l, 1950 A I Oa Sclafefnder" Jam 5, 1954 o. scHLAFENDER BOWLING BALL RETARDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. l, 1950 Je for azz- Mmm der Patented Jan. 5, 1,954

BOWLING BALL RETARDER Otto Schlafender, Muskegon, Mich., assignor to The Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company Application september 1, 195o, serial No. 182,822

11 Claims.

This invention relates generally to a device for retarding bowling balls and more particularly to a ball retarder adapted to be located adjacent the ball entrance to a rack in order to retard bowling balls as they are returned to the rack and permit them to roll on to the rack at a greatly reduced speed.

It is the general object of the invention to provide a new and improved bowling ball retarder. More particularly it is the object of the invention to provide a ball retarder of simple construction which is eicient in operation and easy to maintain.

It is another object of the invention'to provide a bowling ball retarder having a rockable device or cradle pivotally supported between the downwardly inclined portion of the tracks of a ball rack and having means normally located inV the path of the ball so as to engage a ball, a latch device retaining said cradle in its ball engaging position and adapted to permit the ball engaging portion of the cradle to yield slightly when initially engaged by a ball, said latch device being released during Ysuch initial movement of the cradle to permit the cradle to rock and enable a ball to roll over the cradle and down the inclined portion of the tracks by the action of gravity, and means operable after the passage of va ball over the cradle to reset the cradle and latch device and condition them for retarding another ball. l l

yGther objects and advantages will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings: n

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a bowling ball retarder embodying the invention installed onthe downwardly linclined portion of the tracks of a ball rack. i

Fig. 1a is -an enlarged fragmentary view of thelower portion ofthe retarder of Fig. 1.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation looking at the righthand end of Fig. 1.-

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of a modified form of the invention along the line 3 3 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 3a is a fragmentary section along the line 3oz-3a of Fig. 3.

VFig. 3b is an enlarged fragmentary'section along line 31a-3b of Fig. 3. Fig. 4 is an end view looking at the end of Fig. 3. l n y While the invention is herein disclosed in its preferred form and also in a modified form, itis not intended to limit the invention to the parright-hand ticular forms shown, it being contemplated that various changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

As shown in Figs. 1, la and 2, the invention is installed on a ball rack having a pair of parallel tracks Il),`a portion of which are downwardly inclined at II, balls being returned to the rack normally passing from left to right up over an inclined portion I2 and downwardly over portion II. -A cradle member I3, somewhat in the form of a bellcrank, is located between the tracks I0 and is rockably mounted thereon by means of a horizontally extending pivot pin I4.

A roller I5, preferably of rubber or other resilient material, is rotatably mounted on the upper end of the cradle by means of a shaft I5 and is normally in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1 wherein it will engage a ball B rolling down inclined portion IIof the tracks I0. The cradle member has a slightly inclined bottom surface I'I vwhich Ajoins (adjacent the righthand end of the cradle member as shown in Fig. 1) with a surface I8 rising at a slightly greater angle to the horizontal. The front or left-hand end I9 of the cradle member normally lies below the path of a ball as it rolls down the inclinedv portion II of the tracks.

The cradle member is normally held in its ball engaging position by means of a latch device herein shown as comprising a lever 2li pivotally supported on a pin 2I extending between a pair of brackets 22, 23 secured to the tracks Ill as by means of bolts 24. The shorter end of the lever 20 extends upwardly and preferably car-v ries a roller 25 whichmay also be of rubber 0r of other resilient material. The lever 2i) as shown consists of a pair of laterally spaced and parallel members 26 between which the roller is rotatably supported on a pin 21. The lower ends of the lever members 26 are provided with slots 28 which extend inwardly from the rear or right-hand edge as shown in Fig. 1 at 29 and then upwardly as shown at 3). The brackets 22 and 23 have slots at 3l formed therein (as shown bestrin Fig. la) consisting of a portion 32 concentric with the pin 2| and a portion 33 extending downwardly therefrom. A pin 34 extends freely through the slots 3| and also through the slots 28 in the bracket members 22, 23 and has a cotter pin 35 or other device at each outer end arranged to retain the pin in the slots. The pin is free to move from one end to the other end of the slots 3| for a purpose hereinafter more fully described.

When the cradle I3 and latch member 20 are in their normal positions indicated at a in Fig. 1, the roller 25 engages against the surface l1 of the cradle immediately adjacent the point where the surface I'I joins the surface I8. At that time the pin 36 is at the extreme right-hand end of the slot portion 32 (as indicated at a in Fig. la) and also extends through the slot portion 30 of the latch member. Upon engagement with. the cradle roller I by. a ballB the cradle member is rocked slightly in a Iclockwise direction (Fig. 1) from the full line position a to the dotted line, position b. The latch member isrthenswung in a clockwise direction from its normal position a to the dotted line positionfb.l theroller then, engaging the inclined surface.; L8: on, the.. cradle member. During this movement the p in 3 4 has moved along the portion 32 of' the slot '31' in the bracket members to the position b of Fig;4 lagv and; is then in a position to drop by gravity along the portion 3 3 ci the slot 3l. '.lhe-weight-of` the ball B. (whichV isstill on the inclirned` portion I L of the tracks after it hesbeen, stopped). exerts aforce on the roller l5 operativetoeiock the cradle,mein-v ber from the dottedline position b to the dashed line position c. This. movement of the cradle member is permittedlas the pin 34. moves down; wai-diy in the slotl portion 3,3 and at the same time. moves downwardly. in thel Slot 28. of the latchmernber until tbelatch. member disengaged from the pin and swings out tothe. adjacent dashed line position c.,` When the cradlemember reaches its position. c the` ballhasrolledoler the cradle I3 and itsroller l5 and dQWll toYGhehoriT. zontal portionof. the tracks. lll..

During the passage of theball over the cradle member the front. end. I9A thereof. extentie. up;v wardly as shown inFig. l in position. toblock a. second ball if one should inadvertently-arrive; at the ball` retarder beiorethe cradle member re.- turns to its normalr DOSition,

The front end of.' the cradlefmember is preferably weighted withv a. weightmember- ML if.,.,nece.s sary, to enable theycradlemember toreturn toits normal position by gravity. During the .return of the cradle member. the; latch. member, 20.: is permitted to swing ina coontercloclrwise direc: tion from its postionrc whereupon. the openend; of the portion 2,8:of slot zreceivestliebin- 34 which is then in the p o'sitionc of: Fig.l lo atlhe. lower end of theportionioi the s1ot,3|,. ther swinging, movement of.l the latch; lcoemberl enables the upwardly inclined oortionof. thaslot. 2.8. ibo-elevate the pin 3.5,- intothefportion 32i of. the slot 3l and. thisenables the-pin tomove back toi. the right-handend of tbe-slotoortionz-.to posis. tion d.

A. stonmember 4I- is preferably. provided ber-- tween the tracksY to, limit.. the countercloclrvvise-.- rrloverrlent` of. the cradle member andtogdetermineits normal position- Ailotherstop. member; 412 is carried onthe brackets. 22,23 to engagetine-eur` face IB of the cr-adlerI Ilelllloel` andlimiti its. 619.81%4 wise movement when it moves intoposition;v e enablingthe ball to pass .through Y theretarder- In the formA shown Fg. 3 and 4 a Cradle member 5i]A isl'rockably, supported on a shaft; 515 extendingbetween thelinclinedoortionsil IV or the. tracks; lo. A ball eneaeingfrollerzis. rotatably mounted on the -uoperfend-- off a. lever 53: which.; is: oivotally supported in; a slot, 50 in; theiroct .orf leit'fllaridendofj-the.cradle member hva-.nin 54.. as; shown;A in Figs. aand 3b'.- Thelowerfand; lori-eer end.. 5.51r oftlle lever rextends olownwardlv.A through a U-shaped bracket 56 which is seeured to the underside of the tracks by bolts 51. The lower end or" the lever 53 has a cut out portion 58 providing a surface 59 which normally rests on the lower wall S0 of the bracket 56, the extending portion El of the lever then projecting through the rear or right-hand end of a slot 62 in bracket wall 60.

When the roller 52 is engaged by a ball B rolling; down the inclined; portion H of the tracks l0, the. impact swings thelever 53'A from the full line position a of Fig. 3 to the dot-dash line position b, this swinging movement of the lever being permitted, by, the length of the slot 62. When the left' end7 surface of the projecting portion 6l engages'the lett-hand end 63 of the slot B2, the entireleven isf-reato move downward in the slot, as the wldthof the lower portion of the lever is less than the corresponding dimension of the slot; @2; (see Fig. 3a). The Weight of the lever and cradle is then sufficient to swing the cradle a., ooiinterclockvvise: directionA to. the.4 dotto/.delirio position; indicated atc inlig. 3, thelever then passing downwardly through. the slot 62, to. its. pmsition.y c. As the roller 5,2 then moves. to its dotted. line. positionl markedl c the ball` B, is free to roll down, the inclined portion of. the; tracks which extends above the left-hamik end of. the cradle. As-the ball-engagesa bumper. Ell-of, rubber or other resilient material. onthe rghtfhand. end. of the cradle; member. it operates-towing. the cradle in aclockwise directionabcutthe.shaft 5Lk This movementoi thecradle. member pulls the lever 53 upwardly through the slot 62 until the surface 5,8, on the lever. risessliglitly above the. lower wall; (ill. of. the bracket. and. the; lever. thensvvings back intoitso position..

A, stop memberr is nreferablv.A provided ori-the` bracket 55 toengage theendsuriaceothecradle member to, determine. the. .normal position of the cradle.- member. es. the lower end.. ofthe, leverreturnsto.. its` a. position` it` latches` the cradle in; its normal position, and.` conditions the'device for retardinganotlierball..

esV shown. inv the drawings a stoppin- 66. is located in the? `forward portion of` the. bracket and has.V a. resilient. sleeve, Gli thereon which en-- gagesthelower portion 55 of. thelever-asritswings tof its. b Position. on, engagement ci. a ball. with. roller.. 52., thus; stopping the swinging. movement y oi thelever andfcushionnstbeimpact ofrthe ball- I claim:

1., e. bowling; ball retarder. lia-ving,v inI ccmbination with: as pair... of .iecliriirigV ball.A tracks.. a. Lockable ston-memberlocated between saidtracka i and journalled on a horizontalt axis. transverse ci the ballftracka and-:normallypositioned with its.trailing` erid..-u.p,1 amubber. roller-1 on: said trailr ing end;A in positionta engage a. ball rolling" dovvri the tracks, a frame located belown the tracks v aridcarryinga.- horizontal; pivot pin, a lever member; saldi lever; having; a slot in its lower end extending inwardly and upwardly'from its;

reen edge,y said frame; having'plate-like portions one on each side of said lever andprovidedIwith; cenoir/1.111e` Slots. a. portionl olf which are ooncentric with the lever pivotiand onA a; level with; the. topeotthearcuateslot of; the lever, and icining portions of which slots extend downwardlyand f:or-warollity thereirom to position; on a level with tbe-oneri end? oty theflever slot, alpin'. freely oontainedinfthe frame-plate slotsfandin.

`acclaim the lever slot when the lever is in its member engaging position, said pin shifting through said concentric portion of theplate slots when a ball engages said. rollerv andl thereafter dropping downwardly insaid slots and freeing itself from the lever slot as the ball rocks the stop member fartherand passes through the retarder.

2. A bowling ball retarder having, in combination with a pair of declining ball tracks, a rockable stop member locatedrbetweensaid tracks and journalled on a horizontal axis' transverse of the ball tracks, and normally positioned with its trailing endup, a rubber member non said trailing endin position to engage a ball rolling down the tracks,a frame located belowthe tracks and carrying a horizontal pivot pin, 'a lever pivoted on said pin and normally .extending somewhat vertically Vwith its upper end underlying the trailing end of said rockable stop member, said lever havinga slot in its lower end A.

extending inwardly and upwardly from its rear edge, said frame having a plate-like portion on one side of said lever and provided with a slot, a portion of which is concentric with the' lever pivot and on a level with the top of the slot of the lever and joining portions of which slot extend downwardlyY and forwardly therefrom to a position'on a level withthe open endof the lever slot, a pin freely contained in the frameplate slot and in the lever slot when the lever is in its member engaging position, said pin shifting through said concentric portion of the plate slot when aball engages said rubber member and thereafter dropping downwardly in said slots and freeing itself from the lever slotas the ball rocks the stop member farther and passes through the retarder.

3. A bowling ball retarder as denned in claim 2 having means to swing the rockable stop member back to its normal position after the passage of a ball therethrough and to re-engage said last mentioned pin in said lever slot.

4. A stop for bowling balls, comprising, in combination with a ball return track, a cradle swingably mounted on said return track and having when in ball receiving position a rearwardly and upwardly extending portion having a roller rotatably mounted in its upper end, said cradle when in ball receiving position having a forwardly extending portion positioned below the ways of the return track, means for retaining the cradle in ball receiving position, means for stopping a ball when it enters the cradle and strikes said roller comprising a lever pivotally supported on a horizontal axis below the cradle axis and having a shorter upper end carrying a roller engageable with the straight and forwardly-downwardly inclined bottom edge of the cradle, a stop device engaging the lever and permitting the lever to swing a short distance in a direction permitting the ball to rock the cradle slightly when the ball engages said roller, and means supporting said stop device permitting the device to fall by gravity to a non-stop lever disengaged position and enable the weight of the ball to rock the cradle sufficiently to roll the ball over said roller end thereof, said cradle rocking back to its ball receiving position after passage of the ball, and means on the lever operable to reset said stop device in its stop position as the lever swings back to its normal cradle engaging position.

5. A stop for bowling balls, comprising in combination with a ball return track, a cradle swingably mounted on said return track and having when in ball receiving vposition an lupwardly ex tending portion positioned in the path of a ball on the track, a means for. retaining the cradle in ball receiving position, means for stopping `a ball when it strikes the cradle comprising a lever pivotally supported on a horizontal axis below the cradle axis and Lhavinganupper end engageable witha bottom portion of the cradle, a stop ldevice engaging the-lever and permititng the lever to-.swing a short distancein a direction permitting the ball to rock thecradle slightly when the ball "engages the cradle, and means supporting said stop device permitting the device to move to a non-stop lever disengaged position after saidv short swing yof the lever and enable the weight of the ball to rock the cradle sufiiciently to roll the ball overvthe cradle, said cradle rocking back to lits ball receiving position after passage of the ball,v and means on the lever operable to engage and reset said stop device in its stop position as the lever swings back to its normal cradle engaging position.

l6. Av stop .for bowling balls, comprising, in combination with a ball return track, a cradle swingably mounted on said return track and having when .in ball receiving position a portion extending upwardly into the path of a ball, means for retaining the cradle in ball engaging position, means for stopping aball when it strikes the cradle comprising a lever pivotally supported on a horizontal axis and having one end normally engaged with the cradle, a stop device engaging the lever and permitting the lever to swing a short distance in a direction permitting the ball to rock the cradle slightly when the ball engages the cradle, Iand means supporting said stop device when the lever is in its cradle engaging position and permitting the device to move to a non-stop lever disengaged position after the lever has swung such short distance and enable the weight of the ball to rock the cradle sufficiently to roll the ball over said cradle.

7. A bowling ball retarder comprising in combination with ball return tracks, a cradle rockably supported between said tracks and movable from a position wherein a part of the cradle projects into the path of a ball to a position enabling the ball t-o roll over said part of the cradle, means for retaining the cradle in ball engaging position including a latch member, means engaging said latch member for controlling limited movement of said member from its normal position to a position it enters upon the impact of a ball with the lcradle, said controlling means disengaging from the latch member to permit extended movement thereof while the ball rolls over the cradle member, and means for resetting the cradle member and latch member.

8. A bowling ball retarder comprising in combination with ball return tracks, a member rockably supported on said tracks and movable from `a position wherein a part of the member projects in to the path Iof a ball to a position enabling the ball to roll over said part of the member, means for normally retaining said member in ball eng-aging position including a latch device, means engaging said latch device for controlling limited movement of said device from its normal position to a position it enters upon an impact of a ball with said rockable member, said controlling means disengaging from the latch device to permit extended movement thereof while the ball rolls over the rockable member, and means for resetting the rockable member and latch device.

9. A bowling ball retarder comprising, in com- T hinaiony with downwardly sloping: ball return tracks, a. cradle pivoially supported on. said tracks, a lever' operable normally to hold the s1-:idlev in its ball retail-ding position, s; positive stop device permitting the lever to swingslghiily when a ball is retarded by' the cradle, means operable; byf the lever when saidlever' Isswung slightly to' renderv the stopdevice inellee'iive'A and permit the -bali to rollf down over the cradle 92nd means for restoring the lever to its` cradle supporting DOsition andl rendering the stop device effective as the cradlel swingsback to its4 normal ballreterding position;

10. A- bowling; ball retarder comprising, in combination Wthdownwardly sloping ballreturn tracks; a cradle pivotally supported between said tracks; a pivotally supported4 lever operable nor-- mall'y to maintain or' hold. the cradle in it'sV bali' reim-ding position, a positive stopu device permiiting the lever; to swingl a, limited amount when a balll is: stopped, means` operable by the; lever. when said lever is ,swungM suchamountj iz'o render the stop device ineffective and permit the: lever tio swing to a position ena-bling a ball.l toroll downr the tracks and overV the cradle and means forautometioallyf restoringA thecradle to its' ball reta-riding' position' upon release of a ballV thereflOm;

1'1". bowling? 152.111 retarder comprising, in combination: with downwardly sloping' bail return tracksr cradle pivotall'y supported approximateiy at its mich-point: betwem senil'` tracks and having 1013.11--reisrllingfarid` Ball-blocking portions, a'. pivotaliy supported lever having one end in engagemenizlwih said` cradles stop device having lever-engaging amnd. non-engaging positions, means supporting stop device for slight movement insaid: msi: positi'om when a ball rolls onto said'. cradle and: initielly'shitts thelever, Sayidy supporting means'. the stop device to' move to its non-engaging position after sai'dl sli'gflrii:v movemenowhici-r permits-the lever tolmove further as' the cradle moves: azboui.l its pivot to lower saidl balL-retardingi portion :inclg raise the ball-blocking portion.

OTTO- Referen'ces. Cited; in the nie: of this patent;

STATES PATENTS' Number. Name Date 1,114,310 Hedenskoog ..-nwMay 21,. 1929 1,979,466- Hedenskoog Nov.' 6, 1934 2,306,955? Karbusky Dee. 29171942- 2,34l',3'8f Reichelt... v ..u Feb. 8, 1944-- 2f,5'30,429 Hedenskoog Noi/2.21, 1950

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