US2820636A

US2820636A - Bowling pin setting devices

Info

Publication number: US2820636A
Application number: US538553A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harry E Estabrook
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1955-10-05
Filing date: 1955-10-05
Publication date: 1958-01-21
Anticipated expiration: 1975-01-21

Description

Jan. 21, 1958 Filed Oct. 5, 1955 H. E. EsTABRooK BOWLING PIN SETTING DEVICES 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 21, 195s I H. E. EsTABROOK 2,820,636-

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BOWLING PIN SETTING DEVICES Filed oct. 5, 1955 v 5 sheets-sheet 5 g-IllQi-l.

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BOWLlNG PIN SE'ETING DEVICES Harry E. Estabrook, Miilburn, N. 3'.

Application October 5, 1955, Serial No. 538,553

11 Claims. (Cl. 273-43) This invention relates generally to bowling pin setting .devices and more specically to an improved bowling pin distributing device for use with an automatic bowling pin spotting device.

Bowling pin setting machines must successfully accomplish several functions. Deadwood must be cleared. Bowling balls must be returned. Bowling pins must be elevated, set upright with butt end down and then carefully spotted in a conventional triangular array on a bowling alley bed. This usually requires expensive, cumbersome and space consuming equipment.

To avoid these diculties some of the functions may be performed manually. However, an automatic pin spotter is usually used for speedy accuracy in setting the bowling pins up on the bowling alley bed.

Usually, a further time saving is found desirable and this may be attained by using a bowling pin distributor which receives bowling pins in some kind of magazine and positions them in upright orientation, in readiness for use by a bowling pin spotting device.

lt is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved bowling pin distributing device for use in an automatic pin setting machine.

A further object is to provide an improved bowling pin distributing device into which bowling pins may be deposited one or more at a time, at random intervals and in any orientation-upright, horizontal or otherwise.

A further object is to provide an improved bowling pin distributing device which lends itself to being used as part of a semi-automatic machine wherein some operations such as deadwood removal or bowling ball return may be performed manually.

A further object is to provide an improved bowling pin distributing device which may be operated in association with one or more suitable mechanisms such as devices for deadwood removal, elevation, bowling ball return and/or bowling pin spotting.

A further object is to provide an improved bowling pin distributing device which permits the use of an elevating device from the pit that does not extend beyond the rear of the pit thus permitting a complete pin setting device to be used without extending the space normally occupied by a manually operated bowling alley.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved bowling pin distributing device which is efficient, economical and effective for use in a simpler, less space consuming and less costly automatic pin setting machine.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide for a set of bowling pin receiving pockets suspended under a rotating annular track into which bowling pins are deposited in an upright position, butt end down, and from which the bowling pins may be guided by any of various means into the triangular array of positions required for proper setting on a bowling alley bed.

Other specific objects will be apparent from a reading of the rest of the specification and the claims.

This invention provides an automatic device for rey 2,820,636 vPatented Jan. 21., 1 958 ECG ceiving a set of bowling pins, one or more at a time, in random orientation, and depositing them in vertical orientation with butt end down in a set of receiving pockets in readiness for being guided by some other device and set in conventional triangular array upon the bed of a bowling alley. The purposes of the invention are accomplished by a circular disk which rotates within a hopper and by centrifugal force drives the bowling pins through apertures in the cylindrical wall of the hopper onto a counter-rotating annular track. Here they are caught by stationary finger traps and held. Afxed to the under side of the counter-rotating annular track is a set of receiving pockets covered by trap doors. When the track rotates to such a point that an empty receiving pocket is directly below a bowling pin, held by a linger trap slidingly over the counter-rotating annular track, a trap door opens, depositing the bowling pin butt end first into the receiving pocket. A stationary outer hopper prevents the bowling pins from being driven by centrifugal force and outward off the track. When all receiving pockets are filled operation of the device ceases.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and form a part of this specication, and in which like characters of reference indicate the same or similar parts:

Figure l is a plan view of an automatic bowling pin distributing device according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical cross-section of the automatic bowling pin distributing device according to the invention, taken approximately on line 2-2 of Figure l and showing two bowling pins, one of which has been deposited into a receiving pocket and the other of which is being held by a finger trap preliminary to being deposited into a receiving pocket.

Figure 3 is a vertical cross-section of a trap door arrangement over a receiving pocket according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a vertical cross-section of a receiving pocket and associated equipment and showing a bowling pin that had been carried on the revolving annular track head end first.

Figure 5 is a vertical cross-section of a receiving pocket and associated equipment showing a bowling pin that had been carried on the revolving annular track butt end first.

Figure 6 is a schematic wiring diagram of the electrical equipment associated with the invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the construction and operation of a preferred embodiment of an improved bowling pin distributor according to the invention will be described.

Bowling pins may be placed or thrown one or more at a time in random order and in random orientation into the hopper 21 which is open at the top. The wall 23 of the hopper is cylindrical and may be of approximately the same height as an upright bowling pin. The floor of the hopper is a rotatable disk 25. The cylindrical inner wall 23 is substantially circumferential of the rotatable disk 25. As the disk lloor 25 is made to rotate the bowling pins are driven by centrifugal force toward the cylindrical wall of the hopper. At the bottom of the cylindrical inner wall are two receiving apertures 27 separated by two oppositely positioned skirts 29. The apertures 27 must be at least wide enough and high enough to admit a horizontally disposed bowling pin driven by centrifugal force toward the cylindrical wall 23. The two oppositely positioned skirts at the lower edge of the cylindrical wall must have a width slightly greater than the length of a horizontal bowling pin. The reasons for these dimensional requirements will appear hereinafter.

The rotatable disk oor 25 is tixedly mounted on the 437 is fixedly mounted "on the 'shaft '31, and is driven by the driving 'bevel gear 41, which in 'turn is rotated 4by the reversible motor 43. The 'motor 43 is mounted on the platform '45 which is supported by the bracket 47 aiiixed to the xed 'mount "49. Rotation of fthe disk floor 25 is accomplished by the reversible motor 43.

'Circurnferential of the disk liioor and coplanar and concentric with 'it is 'a :rotatable annular track 5'1 which rotates in 'a direction opposite tothe direction of rotation of the disk door 25. The cylindrical wall 'Z3 4rises from anarrow circular space 'between "the disk iloor 2S and the annular'tra'ck 51. Bowling vpins which are driven off the disk kdoor and 'through the receiving apertures 27 reach the 'annular track '51. The 4bowling pins are prevented from being driven outward 'by centrifugal force and off the annular track 'by a 'tixed outer cylindrical wall 73 around vthe track and within which the `track rotates. The outer cylindrical wall is mounted on a lcircular base 56 in 'the "center of which is mounted the fixed mount 49 for the shaft 31men'tioned hereinbefore.

Therannular track ris mounted on brackets 52 axed to ltrack support vwall '53 which is aliixed to the track mounting disk y55 by 'the 'brackets 57. The 'brackets 57 are also iixedly mounted "on `collar 59 which is .fixed to the track mounting disk 55 and rotates .freely around the shaft 31. VThe bevel gear 61 is iixed .tothe collar 59 and also rotates 'freely around the shaft 31 s'lidingly on boss ring 60 laixed to the shaft 31.' 'Bevel gears 37 and 61 meet with the driving bevel gear d1. at lpoints separated by 180 degrees. The "action of 'the driving bevel gear 41 thus drives Ybevel gear 37 in one direction and bevel gear 61 in theV opposite direction, resulting in one direction of rotation for the disk floor 25 and a counter-rotation for the annular track 51. Ordinarilly,

ythe plan View direction of `rotation of the disk is counterclockwise, and the plan view direction of rotation of the track is clockwise. An exception will be noted hereinafter.

Secured to and Isuspended from 'the 'track "are ten bowling pin receiving pockets 54 each Yof which is covered by a pair of trap doors 63 which open under suitable conditions, as will Vbe Vdescribed hereinafter, and deposit the bowling pins in the receiving pockets, butt end down. After a bowling pin has dropped into a pocket, the springs 66 bring the trap doors back into position. The upper surface of each trap door is smoothly coplanar with Vthe upper surface of the annular track.

Opening of the trap doors 63 is controlled by the 'armatures 65. Operation of the release magnet 69 draws the armature 65 away from the catches 67 releasing the =trap doors which open under the weight of a bowling pin. After the bowling pin has dropped into a receiving pocket the trap doors rise under the action of springs 66 which have suicient tension to bring Ythe trap doors back into position. The release magnet 69 is mounted opposite a receiving pocket and upon mounting bracket 71 aliixed to the mounting disk 55 which rotates with the annular track 51.

The inner cylindrical Wall 23 is bracketed to the outer cylindrical wall 73 by hopper brackets 75 which also function to suspend a ceiling 76 over the annular track. The ceiling 76 is suspended over the annular track at a height approximately vequal to Vthe height of a receiving aperture 27. The ceiling makes it impossible for two bowling pins to ride one over the other on the annular track. s

A bowling vpin 77 is 'shown standing upright in a receiving pocket v54. A horizontal bowling pin 79 is shown trapped by a finger `81 of a linger trap 82. The nger L81 rotates around the pivot' 83 in a substantially xed relationship with nger trap armature 85.- Thus when the finger trap armature S5 is held by the 'finger trap release magnet S7 the linger 81, is incapable of rotation around pivot 83. Only when the finger trap armature S5 is released by the finger trap release magnet 87 ycan the finger 81 pivot around the pivot 83 in sucha man' ner as to allow a bowling pin to drop through trap doors 63 butt end down `into receiving pocket 54. A T-he finger trap 82 is aiiixed to the inner cylindrical wall in such a manner that the iinger 81 reaches down toward the annular track .through an 'aperture Sd'in the ceiling 76. The .iinger trap `pivot 83 is mounted on the inner wall substantially level with the ceiling 76.

When contacted `by a vbowlin pin the finger 31 is capable of a slight degree of movement without causing the armature 85 to move. This slight degree of movement is suiiicient toV actuate the finger trap contact switch 89.

The length and angular disposition of the `linger 81 are such `that irrespective of whether a bowling vpin is Y trapped head end or butt end 'irst, the butt, or 'heavier part of the bowling pin will be over the midV line between twin trap doors when the Yassociated receiving pocket reaches a point directly under a finger trap. If 'the bowling pin should be trapped head end .irst, the head and neck of the bowling pin will protrude beyond the finger. If the bowling pin should be trapped Vbutt end first the head and neck of the bowling pin which constitute its lighter part will extend backward away from the finger. ln either Vcase the heaviest part of the bowling pin will lie over the division between the twin trap doors and will be in the lead in falling into a receiving pocket.

Each bowling pin in a receiving pocket will therefore stand butt end down ready to be released at some suit` able time into some pin spotting device (which isY not part of this invention and is therefore not herein described) throughthe bottom Vtrap door 94. Within each receiving pocket is a contact switch 91 which is operated 'by the butt of a bowling pin standing. upright in the pocket. Trap door 94 .swings on Vpivot V93 through aperture 95. Y

Referring now particularly to the electrical equipment, according to the invention, as shown in Figure 6, wh'ich actuates the bowling pin distributing device:

When a master switch, .not shown, is closed, a -circuit through the reversible Vmotor 43 is closed starting the motor and the rotation of thetrack and the disk. Ten receiving pocket butt operated contacts switches 91 (a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, z', and j) are arranged in series between the circuit breaking .relay 101 and ground. '.The operation of all the contact switches 91 by the Ypresence vof a bowling pin in each of the Vten pockets closes a circuit through the Apower source and the circuit breaking relay 101 and actuates the armature 1'03 to open the circuit through the motor 43.. This .stops the lrotation of the disk and the track. When a vpocket is empty its contact switch is in normal position, grounding its associated trap door release magnet.

When a bowling pin is trappedV in a finger trap the contact switch 89 for that linger trap is operated. This grounds one side of the relay 201 through a power ,source 202. The other side ofthe relay 291 is :connected to the contact 205 of the selector 203. Thus an energizing circuit through the relay 201 is closed when the Acontact 205 meets a segment (a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, or j) of selector 203 if the said segment is itself grounded. However, each segment is wired through .its associated receiving pocket release magnet 69 (a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, .-z', or .j to its associated butt operated receiving pocket .contact switch 91 (a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, or j).

When a receiving pocket is empty .the .side 9S .(a, b, fr. d, e, j, g, h,y i, or j) of its associated contact switch @i '(a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, or j) :is grounded. When .a receiring pocket has a bowling pin in it `the circuit to ground through side 98 is broken. Thus, each segmentrof selector 203 is grounded through its associated trapdoor release magnet only when its receiving pocket is'empty. An energizing circuit is closed, therefore, through a relay 201 and a trap door release magnet 69 Whenever a selector segment connected to an empty receiving pocket meets a contact 205 connected to a finger trap which has been operated by a bowling pin. As soon as the energizing circuit is closed the following action takes place:

(l) A trap door release magnet associated with an empty pocket operates, permitting the said trap door to open.

(2) A relay 201 is energized, breaking the normally complete energizing circuit through a finger trap release magnet.

(3)The linger trap associated with the relay 201 is released.

The contact 207, associated with the relay 201, holds the circuit through a receiving pocket trap door release magnet energized for an interval of time (during which the contact arm 205 is on the segment of selector 203) suidcient to keep the associated trap doors openwhile the bowling pin is falling into the pocket.

As soon as the contact 205 passes beyond a grounded segment of selector 203 the relay 201 is de-energized. This re-energizes the associated linger trap release magnet and resets the finger trap. Simultaneously, the associated receiving pocket release magnet is de-energized, locking that particular pocket.

The requirement that the trap doors over an empty pocket open only when they are under a finger trap which holds a bowling pin is accomplished in the following manner.

(l) The selector 203 has l segments each of which is individually connected to a Contact switch Within its associated receiving pocket through the trap door release magnet associated with the said pocket.

(2) The pockets are circularly disposed under the annular track.

(3) The segments are circularly disposed on the selector in the same sequence as their associated pockets.

(4) The pockets and the segments rotate at the same rate and in the same direction.

(5) The contact arm 205 is so adjusted that contact is made with a segment associated with a preselected pocket when the said pocket is directly under the linger trap associated with the said contact arm.

(6) Each finger trap may have its own selector 203 and its own contact arm 205.

lt should be here noted that each side or" a contact switch (S9 and 91) is insulated from the other, and the contacts 205 are stationary.

When a situation, such as a jamming of bowling pins on the disk, arises and produces a condition wherein there is no bowling pin held by a linger trap and yet at least one receiving pocket is empty, then arrangement is made to jostle the bowling pins and free the jam by reversing the directions of rotation of the disk and track. This is done by automatically reversing the direction of rotation of the motor for a short interval of time. Automatic reversal of the motor is accomplished by completing an energizing circuit through the reversing relay 107 which takes place when the locking relay 10S is energized, moving the armature 110 to contact point 111. A description of the mechanical details and electric circuit arrangement required, follows.

The selector 109 is stationary. its rotatable contact arm 112 rotates with the annular track. Its rate of rotation may be the same as that of the track, or it may be any other preselected rate. When the rotatable contact 112 contacts segment 113 an energizing circuit is completed through the relay 114 which moves armatures 115 and 116. Relay 114 is maintained in a closed state through an electrical circuit comprising finger trap switches 89 and the normally closed Contact of relay 125. Closing of relay 114 provides an electrical path for closing of yrelay 103 through contact 123 and contact 116, provided rotatable contact 112 is brought into contact with contact 123. The series path between the nger trap contacts 89 can be closed only if no finger trap holds a bowling pin and neither finger trap contact switch is operated. It is assumed that at least one receiving pocket is empty, because if all were full then the distributing device would automatically stop.

The rotatable contact 112 will contact segment 121 and in continuing its rotation it will eventually contact the segment 123. After the contact arm 112 moves past segment 113 the relay 114 will continue to be energized (provided that neither finger trap Contact 89 is operated) through a locking path to ground on a set of break contacts of relay 125. This locking path may be opened (releasing relay 114) at any time upon the operation of a finger trap contact 89. However, if the relay 114 is still operated When the contact arm 112 reaches segment 123, the relay 108 will operate and complete a circuit for operating the reversing relay 107 which then operates and reverses the motor 43. This reversal causes a jostling of whatever pins are left on the disk or the track.

The relay 108 upon having thus been operated will remain energized and operated t rough a locking path to ground on a set of break contacts on relay The operation of the relay 108 also prepares a path for operating relay 12S when the contact arm next reaches segment 121. Operation of relay 125 removes the locking path for relay 108 (and also for relay 11d` unless the locking path for relay 114 has already been removed by the operation of a finger trap contact 09) releasing these relays and restoring the circuit to normal. This throws the motor into forward motion and again jostles any bowling pins remaining on the disk or the track.

The motor Will operate in reverse for the interval between the instant when the rotatable contact arm is on segment 123 and the instant when the contact arm is on segment 121. This reversal will repeat itself whenever these preconditions eXist for a certain peri-od of time:

(1) No pin is held by either linger trap.

(2)At least one receiving pocket is empty.

If any linger trap holds a pin prior to the operation of relay 108 the operation of its contact switch will break the locking circuit of relay 114, preventing any reversing action.

If all receiving pockets are occupied, then the pin distributing device will automatically stop.

What has been described is a preferred embodiment of the invention. Certain variations are possible however without departing from the essence of the invention. For example, the means for selectively depositing the bowling pins into their pockets may be slots or single (rather than twin) trap doors. The receiving pockets may be stationary, with the finger traps revolving in the same direction as the track but at a slower speed. 1nstead of having two selectors, one selector would sutiice if one contact arm for each finger trap were adjusted to the said selector. The timing device controlling the duration of the interval of motor reversal, though herein described in preferred embodiment as a selector and a set of relays need not be limited to the specific embodiment herein described. It may be an arrangement using electron tubes and appropriate electronic timing circuits.

What is claimed is:

l. A bowling pin distributing device comprising a rotatable disk upon which bowling pins may be placed, a rotatable annular track concentric with and circumferential of the disk to receive bowling pins driven by centrifugal force from the disk, an outer wall circumferential of the track to prevent bowling pins from being driven outward off the track, an inner wall circumferential of the disk, said inner wall including an aperture therein to permit passage of a bowling pin from said rotatable disk onto said annular track, means to rotate the disk in a rst preselected direction, means to rotate the annular track in a` secondV predetermined direction, said directions of rotation being oppositeY oneA another, a plurality of receiving pockets secured to, and positioned under said annular track and each dimensioned to hold an upright bowling pin, a releasable trap door integral with and normally coplanar with said annular track and over each of said receiving pockets, and means adjacent said annular track and responsive to engagement therewith: by a bowling pin on said annular track, to release a trap door under said bowling pin to deposit said bowling pin in an empty pocket.

Y 2. A bowling pin distributing device comprising a rotatable disk upon which bowling pins may be placed, a rotatable annular track concentric with and circumferential of the disk to receive bowling pins driven by' centrifngal force from the disk, an outerwall circumferential of the track to prevent bowling pins from being driven outward oi the track, an inner wall circumferential of the disk, said inner wall including an aperture therein to permit passage of a bowling pin from said rotatable. disk to said annular track, means to rotate the disk inV a first preselected direction, means to rotate the annular track in a second predetermined direction, said directionsV of rotation being opposite one another, a plurality ofv re'- ceiving pockets secured to and positioned under said annular track and each dimensioned to hold an upright bowling pin, a releasable trap door integral with and normally coplanar with said annular track and over each of said receiving pockets, and means for releasing a trap door of an empty pocket including a linger trap switch adjacent said annular track and responsive to engagement therewith by a bowling pin on said annular track, and a trap door releasing circuit responsive to actuation of said switch to release a trap door under said bowling pin and deposit said bowling pin into an empty pocket under said annular track.

3. A bowling pin distributing device comprisingV a r tatable disk upon which bowling pins may be placed, a rotatable annular track concentric with and circumferential of the disk to receive bowling pins driven by centrifugal force from the rdisk, an outer wall circumferential 'of the track to prevent bowling pins from being driven outward od the track, an inner wall circumferential of the disk said inner wall including an aperture therein to permit passage of a bowling pin from said rotatable disk onto said annular track, means to rotate said disk in a Viirst preselected direction, means to rotate saidl annular track in a second preselected direction, said directions of rotation being opposite to `one another, a

Y plurality of receiving pockets secured to and positioned under said annular track and each dimensioned to. hold an upright bowling pin, a releasable trap door integral with and normally coplanar withsaid annular track, and `over each of said receiving pockets, means adjacent said annular track and responsive to engagement therewith by f a bowling pin on said annular track, to release a trap door under said bowling pin and deposit said bowling pin into an empty pocket, and means for discharging the bowling pins from said respective pockets,

V4. A bowling pin distributing device comprising arotatabie disk upon which bowling pins may. bey placed, a rotatable annular track concentric with and circumferential ci the disk to receive bowling pins driven by centrifugal force from the disk, an outerl wall circumferential of track to prevent bowling pins from being driven outward or? the track, an inner wail circumferential of the disk, said inner wall including an aperture therein, said aperture being of suicient height and width to permit passage of a horizontaliy. disposed bowling pin along its length from said disk to said annular track, means ro rotate said disk in a first preselected direction, means to rotate said annular track in a second preselected direction, said directions of rotationV being opposite one anf other, a plurality of receiving pockets secured toand positioned under said annular,track,andrahdmensioned to.

hold an upright` bowling pin, aV releasable trap door integral-with and normally coplanar with said annular track, and over eachY of saidI receiving. pockets, means adjacent saidannular track and responsive to a bowling pin passed from said disk to said. annular track through said aperture and in engagement therewith, to release. a trap door under said bowling pin and deposit said, bowling pin into. an empty pocket.

5. AV bowling pin distributing device comprising a rotatable diskupon which bowling pinsy may be placed, a rotatable annular track concentric with and circumferential of said disk to receive bowling pins driven by centrifugal force fromV the disk, an.v outerwall circumferential ofthe track to prevent bowling pins from being driven outward ofrr the track, an; inner wally circumferential of the disk, said inner wall including an aperture therein, said. aperture being of suiiicieut height and width to permit passage, of a horizontally disposed bowling pin along its length from saidl disk to said annular track, means to rotate said disk in a tirst preselected direction, means to rotate said annular track in a second preselected direction, said directions of rotation being opposite one another, a plurality of receiving pockets securedV to and positioned .under said annular track, a releasable trap door integral with and normally coplanar with said `an-l Y nular trackL and vover each of said receiving pockets, means adjacent said annular track and proximate said aperture and responsive to a bowling pin passed from said disk to said annular track through said aperture and in engagement with. said means, to release a trap door under said bowling pin and deposit said bowling pin into an empty pocket.

6. A bowling pin distributing device comprising a rotatable disk, a rotatable annular track concentric with and circumferential ofv said rotating disk, an outer wally circumferential of the annular track, an inner wall circumferential, off the. disk, an aperture withiny said inner wall ofsuflicient dimension to pass a bowling pin inhorizontal selected direction, said directions of rotation being oppo-V site one another, a; plurality of receiving pockets secured to and positioned under said annular track, each of said receiving pockets having a releasable trap door integral with and normally coplanar with said annular track, means positioned adjacentsaid annular track and responsive to engagement therewith by a bowling pin on said annular track to release the trap door of an empty receiving pocket under said bowling pin, means to stop the rotation of the disk and the annular track after each of said receiving pockets contains a bowling pin, and means to; discharge said bowling pins from said receiving pockets.

7. A bowling pin vdistributing device comprising a r0- tatable disk, a rotatable annular track concentric with and circumferential of said disk, an inner wall circumferen-V tial Vof said disk, an aperture in said wall, said aperture y having its lower edge adjacent the plane of the disk and being dimensioned to pass a horizontally disposed bowl ing pin therethrough fromthe disk to the annular track, a ceiling over said annular track and proximate-said aperture, a finger trap switch adjacent said. annular track and secured to said ceiling, means to rotate said disk in a first preselected direction, means to rotate said annular track in a second preselected direction, said directions of rotation being opposite one another, receiving pockets secured to and positioned under said annular track, each of said receiving pockets being dimensioned to hold an upright bowling pin therein, each of said receiving pockets having a releasable trap door integral with and normally coplanar with said annular track, rst switch means within each of said respective receiving pockets, means for sequentially connectingsaid linger, trap switch and said Virst switch means; withinsaid respective pockets as said ringer switch is above the corresponding pocket, said rst switch means being closed when the respective pocket is empty, and open when said pocket is occupied by a bowling pin, and circuit means responsive to engagement of said finger trap switch by a bowling pin when said switch is connected to the rst switch means of an empty pocket for releasing the trap door of said pocket and depositing said bowling pin into said empty pocket.

8. A bowling pin distributing device as claimed in claim 7, and having means for reversing the directions of rotation of said disk and said track.

9. A bowling pin distributing device as claimed in claim 8, and wherein the means to rotate the disc in a first preselected direction comprises a motor, a rotatable shaft aixed to the disk, a rst bevel gear axed to the rotatable shaft, and a driving bevel gear moved by said motor and in geared engagement with said first bevel gear.

10. A bowling pin distributing device as claimed in claim 9, and wherein the means to rotate the track in a second preselected direction comprises a second bevel gear rotatably mounted on said rotatable shaft, said rst and second bevel gears engaging said driving bevel gear at diametrically opposite points thereof, a rotatable collar on said shaft axed to said second bevel gear, a track mounting disk aixed to said rotatable collar, and brackets arlixed to the track mounting disc and said annular track in a manner to permit rotation of said annular track with said track mounting disc.

1l. A bowling pin distributing device as claimed -in claim l0, wherein the means for reversing the directions of rotation of the disk and the track when no finger trap is in engagement with a bowling pin and at least one receiving pocket is empty, comprises relay means for reversing the direction of said motor, means for energizing said relay means, and means for de-energizing said relay after a predetermined time.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,292,738 Estabrook Ian. 28, 1919 1,590,124 Roble June 22, 1926 2,714,508 Anderson Aug. 2, 1955 2,739,813 Dowd et al. Mar. 27, 1956