US2944819A - Bowling pin removing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

July 12, 1960 M. PATTERSON ETAI- BowLING PIN REMovING APPARATUS Filed July 7, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 July l2, 1960 M. PATTERSON ETAI` BOWLING PIN REMovING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 7, 1955 INVENTOR MOREHEAD PATTESON CHARLES E. SCHON Af @MW ATTORNEY July 12, 1960 .M, PATTERSON EVAL 2,944,819

BOWLING PIN REMOVING APPARATUS Filed July 7, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR MOREHEAD FATTE SON CHARLES E. SCHON ATTORNEY July 12, 1960 M. PATTERSON ETAL 2,944,819

BOWLING PIN REMovING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 7, 1955 July 12, 1960 Filed July 7, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 R m9 Y A@ n@ www. m NSO @9% n a www M MM.. %\1%J f :4B www, www: New im www www QA Saw (omg o im@ QN @N9 90M. Qmwm/ %RN @w w Sw v $3 w\^% QM QQ NN @RN Y w www www www w www www al www www rmmw Q MN www i www www @uw WM@ o QAM NQS www .www www SN o QN www m @E NQ www July 12, 1960 M. PATTERSON ETAL BWLI'NG PIN far-:MOVING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed July '7, 1955 INVENTOR S MOREHEAD PATTERSON SCHON CHARLES E.

ATTO NEY Y,agraria BOWLING PIN-.REMOYWG ArrARArUS MoreheadY Patterson, Newl York,v and 4Charles Scholl,

Westy Hempstead, N.Y.z xssgnors to American Ma- (chine-& Foundry Company, a corporation ofY `New Jersey l l* Filed 'July f1, i955, vser.Liste..520,403 'y zo .Claims y rc1. 2913-4-43.)

inventionr relatesl to, tzowlingpin; spotting u chines, .and vmore particularly to improvementsginmmvechanism for removing fallen pins 'or deadwood fromV a -bcnzvlunift-edsaftesPtenr* l Y 2,944,819 iPstentedislnlyalM960 Y provedmechanismfortremoving deadwoodnorf, fallenpins obstruction to a.pointeofydischargeffrom 1 delivered ,to i the-pit for v'.lurtber handllngfrmfvplayingxthe from the playing deck of a bowling alley after aY allis rolled without the necessity of lifting s tanding'-;pns fprior .to the 4renfloval.of:fallen pins ftherefrom- It yis` arfurther object ofztherinvention mieke-advantage of'the'space lleft by .fallen -pins .in :th front portion of the pin supporting bed of a; lbowling.alley,Slwltthat Sllh fallen pins may bemovedwitha-minimurnpf-fetfortand th alleyibfedjlld game;

A ATheinvention'lisfalsoi;cbaractenizedbvntlle provision ,of means fordamping rorgrmly fsecuringstandingaplns the rolling of, each` ball of af frame; except-fthe last-ball A .thereof,-,and the provision of meansffcr movingiany-ifallen ing alley orthe gutters thereofwithoutj disturbing standf Zing `pins :which are, to vremain yon va bowling alley;for

further play.

.i ,Ours invention is adapted `fortusegwitll automatic-bowl- @ing pin Aspotting machines, *such forqexavmple 'asl shownin 'Rundell Patent 2,388,707,;Frye Patent 2;7(l 7v,7(l7,` and any other type of bowling vpinspotting, machine or installation with which it can be adapted Ifior use.

In ,the game of' bowling,A `ten bowling pinspare usually spotted on the bed of. a bowlingfgalleyjn triangular arrangement with :the ,Y apex. Llof- ;the triangle ,1 nearest the ,-bowler. Because of ,thisyarrangemennas the result of trolling. of a ball, the l*frontpins or. lfront rodi/sofpins ,are

Amost likely to be knocked down.l

Our invention' :takes intougconsideration ,tbefactgtliat mechanism conveys them to the pin spotter for-:further .use-in playing the game. Y i

f InA accordance with the invention, wecprovide means i for ypositively engaging the heads' of s tandingupins-in order to `holdeach standingl pin ,in-the exactposition it occupiedafterlthe throwing-of` a ball,v andprovidemeans operative while-pins are -so `held ,fortmoving any-dead woodV or, fallen vpins forwardly :away from such-standing -vpins with aeminimum lof eiort so-thatlthey befdis-y rplaced directly into the guttersA of vthe''bowlinggalley,as

the result of the movement of the pin removingmeansg or can bedelivered into the range loff,operation f. pin handling vdevices whichnrove; them fromy fthefalleyginto the'gutters where suitable means such as belt conveyors orpushers can travelg-theni .rearwardly intothe-zpit'yfor -v further useiin playingthegame, ,':After Lheurernoyal'f y deadwood or Vfallen pins, the :mechanism which clamped or beldstanding. .pins on the alleyais:raiseditherelbovsov `that lthe playmf` .the game can 'continuejjiaccording 1o normal procedure.`

'It is lan Vobject` of lour a bowling falley @after the f throwingV ofy aballr knocked over, and to :eect tbe'gpositivex-imov me vlof deadwood or fallen 4pins in aY direction;awayrgmithepit u Aof a *bowling alley `suchthat there willbesubstantially noobstructon to the movement of Vsuclifalleiiipins Whereinvention to provide rneansforV l Y holding 1.on-spot Vor fol'r'fspot zstanding'f-pinsremaingrion l galnstvrdis-f.r` VVplacementfrom `their respective positions org-ibeing 5 .fallen pins; or v the alley bed :forV ultimate delivery aiuto pins in va direction away kfrom thepitfof the :a1ley,iY and clear of standing pins positively yheld.,or1, tl1'ealleyjnorler that a o f lobstruction `orsubstantially@,noiobstructioncan occur tof prevent thefree movementnfesuch the pitand return tothe ,pin spotter.

In one form ofthe, invention-thereisgprorided azsystem comprising; spaced parallel; pushers thaving fresilient for n ileirible; pini engaging i and pushingfmenrbersawhich-imove v fallen pins ,forwardly between Y and pastlstanding `ping-fthe llatter :being clamped on tliegalley-by `suitablerlleanssengaging' the heads:4 thereof. We fbave; 1 found', iithatwwith mechanism embodying our inventiom-all=; deadwood or :fallen pins can befsepalated vfrom;standing '.,pins'rv and removedfrom fthe. galley; andA :gutters k-or deliveryf finto the -pit vfor Vsubsequent re-ulse in-playingi-thegarne. f zv The s invention f is; Yalso characterized ibygthe provision of a modified form inwhich'allfstanding pinsexceptrhcse commonly designated 5,: 8 anderl 9,1 are; clam-pednpon `111e Y v 'alley and, the provisionoflpositive 'means foriliftingi pins numbers .5 8;, and .-9 oixany` of such pinst-severallygtdependent upon whichremains standing after therolllngfof any ball but-the-llastball lof aframeso thatmorejspace is provided for i Athe unobstructed. forwardemovement =.and more rapid operation of" the pin ,removing on-,sweeping lmeans andvpins movedor swept thereby:intotitllefgutters of a bowling alley whence-they-are conveyedintoytheipit for ultimate ,returnzto the -pin `spotter for spotting om the ..;alley. O ur. lnventionis,alsoscharacterized by the provisionfof `improved mechanism4 for clampingwstanding pinspn a bowling alley afterethe first ballot afframeis -rolledand removing deadwood or fallen pins from between auch l clamped vstandingpins and alsoremoving tfallenfipins and any standing -pins aftertlleflastballfof azfraniejs rolled Y' whenit is desired. to ysport ai new set of vpins lonxtheplaying bed of a bowling alley preparatory ,toplayingfthecnext Y -`frame of the game.v f

1 tioned in :viewfthe lnv'enuonconsists infcertamgcombinationsandggconstructions which fwillybeixfully described 1Withthese and otherfobjectss notspeciiicallygmenf hereinafter; fand thenV se`tfortln` iruthe'` claims, `hereunto'ap-A (llendedavk v It is a further .object of our' invention to provid-aimA vv A YInV theaccompanyingdrawings;whichforngajparthof this specification, and1 in: which :like -cliaracters ofereferenceindicatethesameorlikeparts: f; 1- t if Fig. lisrarsidegelevation olaV preferred form of'riour A Puig. sA 'isgaside.,elevatori-.or,unmodifiedrofmiof@the j invention; Y A

L Fig.4is(a,plan-view,-takeneonzlineplflsof11?ig:.'3;

Fig, 5 is afsideelevationgofianotherimodied ffomicof structure .embodying .ourzinventom and Fig. 6 is aiplan view taken on line -L-Guot' 3 While reference has been made hereinabove to the use of structure embodying our inventionin connection with automatic bowling pin spotting machines, it is to be understood that the invention is `also adapted for use with vbowling alleys where pins are spotted manually by pin shown). In the case'of manual spotting of pins von alley A, conveyor 95 would'not be used since the pin boy would stand in the pit P in order that he might be able to lean forward over alley A and spot the pins thereon.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, there is provided a vertically reciprocating pin clamping table designated generally 10 which is suspended above alley bed A by suitable cables 12 running overland attached to suitable conventional drums (not shown). These drums are oscillated intermittently and in proper timed relation from drive control mechanism (not shown) in order that table 10 may be moved to and from the alley as desired in the course of playing the game. Table 10 is guided for up and down movement by means of guide shoes 14 mounted on the sides thereof (Fig. 2) which engage and run insuitable vertical guide rails 16 mounted on kickbacks K of the bowling alley. v

Table 10 is provided with suitable bearing lugs 1S in which are journaled the ends of two longitudinally spaced horizontal shafts 20 and 22. Shaft 22 is connected by a conventional type coupling 24'(Fig. 2) to drive shaft 26 of a suitable gear reduction motor 2.8 mounted on the top of table 10.

Each shaft 20 and 22 carries a plurality of transversely spaced sprockets 30 aligned and so arranged that each sprocket 30 on drive shaft 22 can be connected by means of an endless chain 32 with a corresponding aligned sprocket 30 o n lidler shaft 20. As shown in Fig. l, all chains 32 are parallel with the length of alley A.

Each chain 32 has pivotally attached thereto a plurality of equallyspaced lugs 34 arranged along a length of chain equal'to the distance between idler shaft 20 and drive `shaft 22. In this way, when all lugs 34 are on the lower run of each chain 32, no lugs 34 are on the upper run (see Fig.' 1),and ywhen all lugs 34 are on the upper `run of each chain 32, no lugs are on the lower run thereof. v

Each lug 34 supports a rod 36 having attached to the free end thereof a exible pusher 38, preferably made of rubber or similar resilient material. Rods 36 also are preferably madeof a yieldable material, such as spring steel or plastic, which permits a springing or bending when encountering a stationary solid object such as a standing bowling pin clamped by table 10 on bowling alley A. Each lug V34 also is provided with a pivotally mounted cam follower 40 such that whenV a lug 34 is moving `along thelower run of a chain 32, cam follower 40 engages with a straight cam track 42 :formed by one flangeof a channel 44 mounted on table 10 and also serving as a guide for each chain 32. A As'illustrated in Fig. 2, six pusher carrier chains are used. There are therefore six longitudinally extending channels spaced from each other and mounted in parallel arrangement on the bottom side of table 10. Each chain 32 is pro- 1 videdwith four pusher rods 36, although this number could lbe varied if desired.

The transverse relationship of each row of rods 36 on chains y32 is such that rods 36 while` being moved from the rear, or from 'the left, as Viewed in Fig. 1, toward Aspot positions against movement.

the front of alley A by chains 32,'normally do not engage or touch standing pins clamped on alley A, but merely pass between them. However, flexible pushers 38 attached to the free ends of each rod 36, extend laterally outwardly therefrom (Fig. 2), and deflect or yield on contact with standing clamped pins, and therefore pass such clamped pins without difliculty.

The lower or bottom side of table 10 is preferably provided with strips 46 of yieldable or resilient. material such as rubber, mounted between and adjacent channels 44. Strips 46 are used to hold each standing pin engaged thereby rmly on alley A when table 10 is in its lowermost or pin clamping position, shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 2. `When table 10 is located in its upper or inoperative position during the time a player is rolling a ball, cam followers 40 onlugs 34'run on caintracks 48 secured to the upper portion of table 10, as shown in Fig. 1 Cam tracks 48 maintain upper rods 36 substantially in the positions shown in dotted lines in Fig. .1.

Under some conditions of pin knockdown, the forward movement of Vpusher rods 36 in the direction of the arrows shown in Fig. 1, is sufficient to cause fallen pins to be pushed or rolled into gutters G where by means of conveyors 90, they are delivered into pit P. In orderA to insure that all fallen pins will be moved into gutters G for ultimate delivery into pit P, or when after a second ball is rolled it is desired to sweep standing pins from the alley, there is provided an auxiliary conveying mechanism located at the `front of table 10, or'at the right as viewed in Fig.` 1, which vhas means'for engaging and displacing all pins advanced forwardly Iby pusher rods 36 so that such pins are delivered into gutters G.

The transverse sweep mechanism, designated generally S, selected for purposes of illustration, consists of two suitably shaped coacting sweep blades 52 and 54, each of which is suspended from and secured to an endless chain S6 and 58, respectively. Chain 56, which runs on and is driven by sprocket 60, also runs on an idler sprocket 62 (Fig. 2) rotatably supported on shaft 64 having its ends journaled in transverse sweep frame 66 attached to `brackets 50 which are secured to the front end of table 10. Driving sprocket 60 is rotatably supported by shaft 68, the ends of which are also journaled in sweep frame 66. A gear 70, preferably formed integrally with the hub of driving sprocket 60, engages an intermediate ygear 72 which is oscillated by a gear 74 mounted on one end of a shaft 76 projecting from the housing of a suitable reversible gear reduction motor 78 mounted on the top portion of sweep -frame 66. Chain 58 runs on a driving sprocket 80 and on idler sprocket 82 (Fig. 2) rotatably supported on shaft 84 mounted in sweep frame 66. Driving sprocket 80 is rotatably supported on shaft 68 and its hub is provided with a gear 86, preferably formed integrally therewith, which is oscillated by a driving gear 88 mounted on shaft '76.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, pins are removed from the playing deck of bowling alley A and delivered into gutters G on continuously driven endless belts 90. Belts 90 are mounted on pulleys 92 supported on driving shaft 97 and driven shaft 99, respectively. Driving shaft 97 Vmay be driven from any suitable source of power by conventional means (not shown). The upper runs of belts 90 are supported .by suitably mounted boards 94.

The pin removing apparatus shown in Figs. l and 2 operates as follows: AAfter a ball is rolled down alley A and has landed in pit P, a motor (not shown) is operated to rotate the drums which support cables 12 so that ,table 10 descends and its rubber cushions 46 are brought into engagement with the heads of any standing pins, thereby clamping such pins in their respective on or off- During the clamping operation, immediately after standing pins have been clamped upon the alley, the bowler presses a switch which closes a circuit through motor 28, whereupon chains 32 are movedtby sprockets 30-andpusher rods-r 36 .-moveefrom the broken :line positions shown Vin Fig. 1 `into the full Y line positions shownin the same figure, thereby bringing -pushers 38 into engagement with any fallen pins which `are moved thereby fromthe `rear of alley A toward the 1 front thereof and'in position to'vbe engaged and conveyed bylsweep blades 52 and 54 which at the time are in back to back position at rest, as shown .in Fig.' 2. rAfter all pusher carrying rods 36 have passed beneath the bottom of table and have moved over the front end of table 10 to their starting positions shown in broken lines. in Fig. 1motor 28 is shut 0E either byl an automatlc timer or manually'by a second button which breaks the circuit throughmotor 2S.

When pusherrods 36 come to r st as above indicated,

ranother button may be pushed by the operator or bowler which closesva circuit through reversibleltransversesweep motor'78 causing blades 52 and 54 to move outwardly from the center of `alley A toward I gutters G, thus sweeping all fallen pins which were moved by pushers 38 in front of sweep blades 52 and 54. All pins delivered f ,into gutters G by blades 52 and'541aregmoved by belts A90 into pit P where they are conveyed by conveyor 95 vto pin handling mechanism ,(not shown) which delivers them to the pin spotter. YIf `then1echa,nisrttV described herein is used in connection with manual spottlng of .lpins,.conveyor 95 will not be provided, andpins delivered into pit P will be readily available for manual, spotting by a pin boy.

After sweep blades SZiand v54 reachi the edge of their ,respective'gutters,G,,motor 78 stops, -andwhen another button orsuitable automatic limit switch Vor timlng'device `(not shown) is operated, a reversing-,circuitthrough;the

motor is closed, whereupon the, latter drives chains 56 land 58to return` blades 52gand, 54 to their rest position. The motor which lowers table 10is then again operated either bymanual control or-by suitableconventional l automatic `.Control meenam, raiseitable :10, andthe ,alley y is ready for the secondballtobe rolled by vthe bowler.

WhenV it is desired to remove all pins, Le; fallen and Astanding pins, after the rolling of the second ball of a lframe, table 10 is lowered Yto the positionrshown in broken lines in Fig. 2. At thisV position, ydesignated I, standing Vpins -will not be clampedeby rubber cushions or strips 46 so that as the result of the operations of pushers 38l Vand sweep blades 52 and 54, .all standjngpins, yas well as fallen pins or deadwood, will be swept from the valley and delivered by belts 90 into pit P. The means for controlling the operationof the driving-means whichlowers table 10 maybe a control button which is pressed by the player to stop the operation of thedriving motor before table`10 has been lowered toits pin clamping position v shown in full lines in Fig. 2.

Figures 3 and 4 disclose a modied kform of ourinvention. The pin Aremoving apparatus shown comprises a table or frame designated generally100 which is raised `and lowered by cables 102 attached to 4brackets 104 secured to table 100. Each bracket 104 Ais,V provided with two pairs of spaced rol1ers106 which roll on a vertical guide bar 108 suitably mounted on a ykickbackfK of alley A.r Cables 102 are attached to suitable drums (not (shown) yof a shaft (not shown) which is intermittently oscillated by a suitable source of power, such as a `revers- ,ible motor (not shown). The constructionand operation of the table lowering and raising mechanism may be substantially the same `as that describedhereinabove for `the form of invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Each gutter G is provided with anrendless continuously driven conveyor belt 110 running on driving and driven pulleys 112, 113, respectively. Pulley 112Yis-driven in` knownmanner from a suitable source of vpower (not shown). The upper lap of each belt-.-110is suitably y supported by a support boardr114.

. Table or frame 100 carriesoneparr,of; sweep arms `116 'and 118; and another pair of.sweep.arms11120randtlZZ.:4

:Arm i116 is .mounted ,on a -vertical .shaft V124supported in i a suitable .bearing :bracket .126 secured tothe topof table ,7100. Shaft 124 is provided with a sprocket 128 on which runs a chain130 also running on a sprocket 132 lixed to a vertical shaft 13.4;supported in a suitable bearing bracket on the top oftable 100. VSweep arm A118 is mountedion shaft-134. .Shaft y134 is also provided with a beveled gear yi138 whichmeshes with a beveled gear -140 secured to shaft "142 of a suitableY reversible gear reduction motor 144. As shown in Figs. 3 and4,-motor 144 is mounted onbracket -146,s ecured to the top oftable 100.

Sweep arm 120 :(Fig. ,4)ismounted'on vertical shaft .n 148'supported in a suitable bearing bracket .150 attached to the tops oftable 100. VShaft -148 is provided y,with a .scrocket :15.2 onwhich runs .a ychain 154 ialso running on a sprocket 156 mounted onvertical shaft v15,8 Asupported in avsuitable' bearing bracket onthe top of table100. Sweep arm HZ-is :attached to Asha-ft 158. ,Also mounted 4on -shaftg15S-fis a beveled gear-',160 meshing Awith a beveled gear `16,2,mounted on shaft -164,of reversible gear reduction fmotor 166 supported by a suitablebracket i vsecured to the vtopof table 100.

Asishown-inFigs. 3 and 4, sweep arms116, 118, 120 v Yand Y1,522 carry a plurality vof spaced downwardly Vproject- 1ng resilient rods 168gwhich'are vsuspended from the bottom edges thereof. In Atheillustrated embodiment, rods 168` are formed-from.elongatedliexible.coil springs. VEach rod V168 extendsdownwardly from its respective V sweep arm through lan'arcuategslot formed in tablei;100 (see VFigeA). YEach rod 168 on its free end `carries a'exible pusher170 which extendslaterally outwardly from the vaxisrofits .vrespectivesupportfrod `168. ln the for-m ill-ustrated, it will be notedithatgtwo opposing-.pushersV 170 i are-interngered in order toprovidemaximum sweeping range. Pushers 170v are preferably made. of' resilient material vsuohas rubber or plasticl .intorder that they ,may yield Vin passing a standingclamped pin, but .also

,operate to movefallen pins and deadwoodfrom the alley .as theres'ult of', their movement when sweeping the alley of fallen pins or .sweepin-gall pins from the alley when no standing pins .are clamped. VThe under-surface of tab-le .100,is providedlwith a resilientclamping cushion snchas rubber cushionV plate V172 (Fig. 3) vin order to furnish -a resilient clamping .action with respect to standing pins when table .100 is in its lowermost or pin clampv alleyfA. :A suitable control means,..such as. a button of a switch (not shown) is thenpressedby-thebowler which completes va circuit through 4motors 144 and 166 which results. inv-thetniovement 'ofi theopposed `pairs of sweep tively,

arms 116, 118, `and V120 :and 122, :in opposite directionsior towardsfthe" right andleft hand gutters G, respec- As the resltof thernovement of arms 116, 118, 120

i and i122, rods-168 suspended therefrom vand vprojecting throughtable 100, move through arcs and'llexible lpushers 170, carriedfbythe rods, engage'fallen pins and sweep them over alley Aand between any pins which may be standing into-gutters Gwhere continuously driven con veyor belts 110 travel them rearwardly into pit Pof alleyA'for further-handling V4by automatic mechanism or for manualrespotting when a pin boy is spotting pins Von ralley/A. When rods 168A reach 'the points` adjacent ,fthe edges of gutters G, motors'1344 and* 166 stop, and `vthe operator orbowler than 'pushes another switch button l f AVto maken, reversing circuiti. through :thesegmotors @which reach the edge of their respective gutter at approximately the same time.

As in the case of the modification shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the movement of table 100 can be stopped at the elevation designated H, in which position no pins will be clamped by cushion plate 172 and hence all pins whether standin-g or fallen will be swept by pushers 17u from alley A into gutters G. Y

A further modified embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 wherein means are provided for gripping and lifting pins, usually designated as pins numbered 5, 8 and 9 in the customary ten pin triangular set up arrangement, prior to the operation of the sweeping means which sweeps deadwood or fallen pins from alley A after the rolling of the first ball, and which may be operated to sweep not only fallen pins, but any standing pins after the rolling of the second ball in the event that it is desired to spot ten pins on alley A.

By lifting pins 5, 8 and 9 or any pin of this group of pins which may remain standing after the rolling of the first ball of the iframe, there is eliminated the need for sweeping or moving a heavy bulk of fallen pins from the rear to the front of alley A. This operation also prevents any possible entanglement of fallen pins with standing pins during the sweeping operation.

The mechanism disclosed in Figs. 5 and 6 comprises a pin clamping table 206 provided on its lower or bottom face with a resilient cushion plate 202, such-as sponge rubber or like material. At each side of table 200 and extending upwardly therefrom is a bracket 204 which arries a guide shoe 206 engaging and running in a vertical guide rail 268 mounted on a kickback K. Attached to each guide shoe 206 is a cable 210, the other end of which cab-le is secured to a drum (not shown) mounted on a suitable motor driven shaft (not shown) adapted to raise and lower table 200. The rear portion of table 200, as shown in Fig. 6, is provided with a cut out section 212 in which is seated a pin pick-up table or frame 214. Table 214 is supported for independent vertical movement relative to table 200, by means of cables 216 which are secured at one end to brackets 21S located at each side of table 214. The other ends of cables 216 are secured t'o drums (not shown) on a shaft (not shown) suitably driven by a motor (not shown). Brackets 218 are provided with guide rollers 220 engaging and running in vertical tracks 222 mounted on pin clamping table 200. The -bottom surface of table 2-14 is provided with a resilient cushion plate 224 similar to cushion plate 172 described hereinabove.

Appropriate transverse slots are formed in pick-up table 214 and cushion plate 224 through which project downwardly three pairs of arms 226, each arm supporting at its lower free end of substantially horizontal bowling pin gripping bar 228. Each arm 226 is preferably formed integrally with a operating member 230 slidably supported in a suitable track 232 (Fig. 6) formed by a groove or channel in pick-up table 214. The two operating members 230 of each pair of gripper bar arms 226 are connected by means of a pair of links 234 to a carriage or trolley 236 suspended by rollers 238 and supported by a cross bar 240 suitably attached to an actuating frame 242. A separate trolley 2.36 is provided for each pair of gripper bars 22.8. A

Actuating frame 242 is secured to the upper free ends of a plurality of piston rods 244 which extend from hydraillic -cylinders 246 mountedon table 214. Cylinders "246 are connected to ahydraulic control.. system (not.

shown) which may be similar in design, construction and operation to that shown and described in Patent 2,634,979, issued April 14, 1953, to Charles E. Schon. Pick-up table 214, the pin gripper bars 228 and their operating mechanisms are generally the same in function, design and construction as those disclosed in -Patent 2,634,979, and therefore a detailed description of the same is omitted in the interest of brevity.

Operating in conjunction with clamping table or frame 2th) and pick-up table 214, is a sweep mechanism L designed to sweep pins from the rear to the front of alley Y A, and a transverse sweep mechanism S adapted to sweep pins which have been delivered by mechanism L into the range of operation of sweep mechanism S into gutters G which are provided with suitable continuously driven belt conveyors 2S@ operative to convey pins into the pit P of alley A for delivery to automatic pin handling mechanism, or into position where a pin boy may be able to seize and spot pins on the alley.

The mechanism for sweeping pins from the rear to the front of the alley comprises a suitable frame or truss shaped structure 252'which carries a plurality of spaced pusher bars 254 supported by a cross bar 256 attached to a pair of carriages 258 arranged to travel in any suitable manner along horizontal tracks 260 which form apart of a truss shaped structure 252 which supports pin sweeping mechanism L and moves pusher bars 254 to and fro operative position relative to alley A.

Tracks 260 are secured at one end to a cross bar 262 and at their other end to a cross rod 264. Pusher bars 254 are of varying heights and are arranged with increasing height from the outer pusher bars to the center bar located in center position relative to the center of the alley. This arrangement of pusher bars creates a plow effect in sweeping and removing fallen pins. Pusher bars 254 preferably are formed of ilat elastic bars, such as rubber or plastic, so that if and when a pusher bar should engage a standing pin, it will deect relative thereto and move therepast but still engage a fallen pin and move or push it toward the front of alley A Without exerting excessive and positive force upon a standing clamped pin. Each pusher bar 254 adjacent its pin engaging front end is provided with a suitably shaped shoe 266 in order to engage fallen pins and eliminate possible damage to theV alley.

Carriages 258 are provided with rollers 268 so that the carriages may roll along tracks 260. The mechanism for moving the pusher bars 254 carried by the carriages back and forth relative to tracks 269 after each ball has been thrown in the form illustrated comprises a cable 27) attached fto each end of each carriage 258. Each cable 270 passes over a pulley 272 mounted at the front end of frame 252 thence over a guide pulley 274 and grooved drum 276 to pulley 273 at theopposite end of said carriage. Grooved drums 276 are fixed to each end of cross shaft 1280. Also secured to shaft 2S@ is a gear 282 (Fig. 5) which meshes with a gear 284 journalled on shaft 286 held by a suitable bracket 288 on the main frame (not shown) of xthe machine. Integral with the hub of gear 284 is `a sprocket l290 which is driven intermittently by meansV of chain 292 back and forth in proper timed relation from a suitable drivingsourcel (not shown) `of the machine.

rI'he mechanism for lifting the entire pusher bar frame or truss structure 252-from and lowering the latter onto the alley may be constructed and operated in the same or similar manner to Vthat set forth in Patterson Patent 2,313,183. VAs shown in Fig. 5 a rod 294 connects frame 252 `to apair of arms 296 fixed to shaft 220. Y Each arm 296 is connected by a suitable cable 29S to an oscillating drum (not shown) which through properly controlled driving means effects the raising and 'lowering of the frame 252 of sweep mechanism L. Frame 252, in addition to being connected to armsk 296, is also pivotally suspended from shaft 230. r

- The ltransversesweep me'echanisrniS, illustrated Figs.

and 6, is similar .inconstruction and operation to 'that *disclosed in-Pigs. l and ZZ, and described heretofore.

- sweep' mechanism is carried by bracket' 300 'secured to'thefrontendvof-clampingtable 200 and consists of two f transverse sweeper blades 302'and'304, each ofwhich is suspended from and secured to an endless chain '3,06 and `308, respectively. v'*.ihain'iii is supportedlbyanV idler :sprocket 310 and intermittently reciprocated by a'sprocket 312. "Chain 308l is supported byvan idler sprocket'314 and intermittently reciprocated bya sprocket'316. fThe ilatter-as w'ellwas sprocket 312 are'loosely supported by Tv-shaft 3f18`supportedby a pair of suitable-bearingme'rnbers n 320 attached to vand held by the bracket 300. Idler Avsprockets? '310 land' 314 are loosely supported -by vshafts* '1 1.v2 2an c l 324` respectively A'which are also supported vby members 320.

The f hiib fof sprocket" 312 isf integral-"with gear r326 yreversiblegear reduction motor 332 supported by and*r #mountedon-bracket 300. l Thehub of sprocket V316 is in- Jtegral with gear 334 whichfmeshes with arr-intermediate A-gear 336 which-=in turnis-driven by gear 433S. mounted 'j on f--shaft -330 of reversible reduction gearvmotor--332r f Due" to their operating connections withv motor 323; chains -'3ll6and-3(l8 will be drivenin opposite directions.

,-*The operation ofthe mechanism disclosed ingFigs. 5

and 6 is-asfollows: AWhenthe machine is'in startposition before a4 ball has been delivered by the bowler, the

sweeper blades 5302 randr 504 -are backto backina centrall i positioniwith-respectto the alley vandthe clampingftable Y1 ;200 aswell asfthepick-up tableg214 are-in 'theirupper- Amostposition above the'alleyr whileigthe pin removing i mechanism L isyin its upv/ard?v position above the Ypit P. "After a` ball is delivered by the bowler, andhas landed Y A`inthe pit P,-the bowleroperatessuitable control mechanism (not shown) to actuate the motonwhicnlowers Vcables v210 andj2li6, whereupon clamping table 200 and pick-upY table 214 move downwardly/ towards alley A, andboth tables with their respective cushion or pressure plates engage thetops of pins' which remain standing and 'm l,clamp them firmly on the-alley. The gripper'bars 228 ,of the pick-up table A214 arethen set in motiongby means similar to `those described "in said Schon patent until said bars engage wtih the necks'of the numbers 5, ,8 and 9 pinsAV ,incase they are, or any of themis, still, standing. n The .operating mechanism (not shown) which is responsible lforjliftipg table 21.4, is then .actuated by the bowler as by f, pressing `a jbutton of aY switch which closes a circuit Qthrough-areyersible motor (not shown)` which rotates a i ."shaf;t;(nots`hown) supporting drums .(-not shown)V to which cables '216' are attached. i Pick-up table '214 then moves ,upwandly with all orany ofthe pins of the groupnumbers 15,'8fa11f9, and dwellsin a position such that 'the bottoms :After pusherbars have moved auffallen ypins from y the .;rearto'the frontofalley A, and deliveredxthem infront Qlof itransverse sweepersblades13n02` and 304, power is sup- -yplied eithenmanuallyr,automatically to .motorf332, which Cau'sesblades 302, and V304 to move outwardly ory ',transverselylof alleyLA, whereby all fallen pins in 'front ofj themhare' delivered .into gutters'Y G. and onto the` two continuously -running. endless conveyor belts "250.which Y,o arrythe,pins received thereon; into pit Pof alley A where jllthey are'delivered .tothe pin handling mechanism (not'. I shown)`- ofabowling pin spotting'machineor made available to a pin -boy for spotting.Vv

*After the-transverse sweeper blades 302V and1304-have J reached the edgesof their respective gutters fG, motor --"-332,leither manually bylmeans of abutton of. 'a: switch in'-` .epa/4,819

f-the-motor fcircuitbr. -autornaticallyifby zlimit switches,l is

I reversed. `This"operation effects the return of-bladesf302,

:T304 ytofrtheir 'central back to backrest position. After pusher bars'254 of' thepin removing mechanism have returned totheirrearmost orstanting position, frame 252 Yis lifted up Vand out ofthe way'above pit -P :while .the pick-up table descends `again and places pins numbers 5, 8 and 9 or any ofzthernv which'were lifted back on 'falleyf A in 'the exact position from whichthey..were removed. "Both YtablesV 200 vand i214 are '.thenfrnoved --to a f Adwell positionclear o'ffall standing pins, andthemachine iis? ready Vfor-Sanother ball. yto be'` delivered. The upward moving operationof the .tables '72,00 and 214 is ieifected by any suitable means, as bymanually! operated switch but- ;tons which when pressed make circuits through Ytherev, ffspectivemotors twhich drive Jthet drumsj-towhichcables 1210V and '.216 .are attached. i

j In'the modification disclosed-in 5 andL,l it lmay .notlibe' desired vor necessary to operate pin pick-up I,table T214 atall times. 1 One instance lwouldbe-w-hen pinsnum- :bers 5," 8an`d' 9 have been knocked down. Underasuch conditions, thewsweepingof fallen pins is accomplished solely byf meansof pusher bars 254 which are operated inthe-'manner `above described.

The mechanism described hereinabove makes `possible arapid and effective removal of deadwood or Ifallenpins T frorn ra .bowling 'alley after the irst ball fof a frame is l-rolled and alsolmakes' possible a similar rapid .removal of all pins fallenvorstandingfrom abowlinglalley -whenyever this is desired-'in the course 'of playing the game.

'T VWhat .we claimis:

Vl. :Mechanism :for removing pinsfarrlang'ed in'generally 'triangular.playing congurationonthe playing bed'secfltiono'f a'lbowling alley comprising a pin handlingfdevice movable into engagement'l with pins remainingstanding .fatter a ball has been thrown, `means on said device for Y'clampingsaid-standing pins uprighton the pin supporting zone of said alle ybed in their respectiveY on or off-spot fpositions, .means operative while said pins farei clamped 40.

for moving. all fallen pins along saidlplayingbed'towards the 4front of said alley fordelivery'intothe gutters of said alley 'whereby -said fallen pins aremoved from ythe base Vof-said triangular playing configuration toward the apex "thereof toprovide `said pins with a substantially greater iunobstructed path of Vtravel from-.-adja cent said clamped pin'sto a point of removal from said playing bed 'of'.said

alley, and-means-operative upon pins moved toward the Afrontof said alley vto deliver'them from said playing bed for fdelivering pins received thereon into the plnof said bofk said alley into` said gutters.

2. The invention defined in claim l wherein 'said gutters are provided with conveying means forfconveyingpins :'delivered'into said' gutters intotherpi't of saidalley.

' 3."'The invention defined inclaim Al wherein pins vare `moved by said second named means to adelivery station Y rin front ofsaid zone, and wherein said means operative to vdeliver said pins intoi saidgutters includes transversely 'movable conveying means operative to movepins from Ysaid zone into said gut-ters of lsaid alley.

4.' The-invention defined in claim 3 wherein said gutters are provided" with continuously movable conveying -belts alley. f

5. A-pin sweeping apparatus -forjusewith a bowling alley .having `a'pin supporting bed section comprising a table adapted to be moved to and from a position aboveA @the pin-supporting 4bedof` said `alley into positionfto clampand hold vstanding pins in their respectiveon and off-spot' Vpositions on said bowling Aalley bed after the rollingof a ball, a plurality of`pin removing fpushers movement along saidpmnsupporting -bedsectionfrom y mountedon said table, means mounting' said pushers'for the rear toward the front thereof, means Vfor moving said rpushersffrom the rear toward the front of said pin suporting bed section -to engage. and travel fallengpins'to- 'awards the=front Jofsaid` pin.- supporting bed sectioneand clear of any clamped standing pins, drive means for said last-named means, an auxiliary pin conveying mechanism mounted on said table, said mechanism comprising transversely moving conveying elements, and means for moving said elements away from each other to convey pins delivered into the range of operation of said elements by said pushers into the gutters of said bowling alley for delivery into the pit of said alley.

6. In a pin clearing apparatus for use with a bowling alley to remove pins from the playing bed of a bowling alley, a table `adapted to be moved to and from a position above the pin supporting bed of said alley into position for clamping standing pins on said bowling alley bed after the rolling of a ball, a plurality of laterally spaced endless conveyors carried by said table, a plurality of longitudinally spaced pin removing pushers mounted on each of said conveyors, means mounting said conveyors on said table for movement of said pushers `along said pin supporting bed from the rear toward the front thereof, means for travelling said conveyors from. the rear toward the front of said playing bed to move said pin removing pushers from Ithe rear toward the front thereof and into engagement with pins to be removed from said alley and to convey said pins forwardly up said alley to the front of said pin supporting bed 4and clear of any clamped supporting pins, drive means for said last named means, and means operative upon pins moved toward the front of said pin supporting bed to deliver them from said bed into the gutters of said'bowling alley.

7. The invention as dened in claim 1 wherein said means for moving fallen pins toward the front of said alley and said delivery means include mechanism .operative while said pins are clamped for engaging and moving all 4fallen pins in arcuate paths toward the front of said alley and into the gutters of said alley.

8. The invention defined in claim 7 wherein said Y mechanism comprises opposed sets of sweep arms, spaced resilient rods depending from said arms through slots in said table, flexible pushers carriedby said arms, and means for operating said arms to move said pushers into engagement with pins to be swept from said alley.

9. The invention defined in claim 7 wherein said mechanism comprises opposed sets of arms'depending pushers carried by said arms, and means for moving said arms through arcuate paths of travel to engage said pushers with pins to be removed from said alley and deposi-t said pins in the gutters of said alley.

l0. The invention delined in claim 9, wherein said gutters are provided with continuously movable conveying belts for delivering pins received thereon into the pit of said alley.

11. The invention defined in clairn7 wherein said pin handling device is provided with a plurality of slots and said mechanism includes a plurality of sweep arms, means mounting said sweep arms for movement in opposite directions from and to each other, a plurality of dependingl rods carried on each of said sweep arms, a ilexible pin pusher mounted on each of said rods, means for moving said `arms away from each other to move unwanted pins ot said lalley bed into the gutters of said alley and means for delivering pins deposited by said pushers in said gutters into the pit of said alley.

l2; The invention `defined in claim l including a carriage associated with said pin handling device, a plurality of spaced pusher members each having one end connected to said carriage, and means for moving said carriage relative to said table to travel said members forwardly beneath said table into engagement with fallen pins, whereby Vin response to the movement of said members said fallen pins are transported from beneath said table and said alley bed section to a point of delivery in front of said bed section.

elements forV moving pins fromsaid point of .deliveryr gripping units to grip and hold any of said last-named` pins standing during the lifting movement of said auxiliary table and the operation of said spaced pusher memy of said pin supporting bed to remove them from said bed bers, and means for moving said auxiliary table to return pins lifted thereby to their respective on and off-spot positions.

l5. In' a pin clearing apparatus for use in removing unwanted pins from the playing bed of a bowling alley, a `table adapted to be moved to and from a position above the pin supporting bed of said alley into position for clamping standing pins on said bowling alley bed after the rolling of a ball, a plurality of sets of laterally spaced pin removing pushers mounted on said table including movable supports for said pushers, means for moving said supports from the rear of said playing bed toward the front thereof to move said pushers between clamped standing pins and push Vfallen pins to the front of said pin supporting `bed clear of said clamped standing pins and means operative upon pins moved toward the front of said bowling alley.

16. A pin sweeping apparatus for use with a bowling alley having a pin supporting bed section comprising a table adapted to be moved to and from a position above the pin supporting bed of said alley into position `to clamp "andhold standing pins in their respective on and Off spot positions onV said bowling alley bed after the rolling of a ball, a plurality of pin removing pushers, means mounting said pushers for movement along said pin supporting bed section from the rear toward the front thereof, means for moving said pushers from the rear toward the front of said pin supporting bed section to engage and travel fallen pins towards the front of said pin supporting bed and clear of any clamped standing pins, driving means for said last named means and means operative upon pins moved toward the front of said pin supporting bed to deliver them from said bed into the gutters of said bowling alley.

17. In a pin clearing apparatus for use with a bowling alley to remove pins from the playing bed of a bowling alley, a table adapted to be moved to and from a position above the position of a pin supporting alley into position for clamping standing pins on said bowling alley bed after the rolling of a ball, a plurality of laterally spaced endless conveyors, a plurality of longitudinally spaced pin removing pushers mounted on each of said conveyors, means mounting said conveyors on said table for movement of said pushers along said pin supporting bed from the rear to the front thereof, means for travelling said conveyors from the rear toward the front of said playing bed to move said pin removing pushers from the rear toward the front thereof and into engagement with pins to be removed from said alley and to convey said pins forwardly up said alley to the front of said pin supporting bed and clear of any clamped standing pins, an auxiliary pin conveying mechanism mounted on said table, said mechanism comprising transversely movable conveying elements and means for moving said elements away from each other to convey pins travelled into the gutters of saidv bowling alley for delivery into the pit of said alley.

18. In a pin clearing apparatus for use in removing pins from theplaying bed of a bowling alley, a table adapted to be moved to and from a position above the pin supporting bed of said alley into position for clamping said pins onto said bowling alley bed after the rolling o fa ball, a plurality of laterally spaced endless conveyors,

a plurality of longitudinally spaced pin removing vflexibley pushers mountedr on each of said conveyors, means mounting said conveyors on said table for movement `of said pushers `along said pin supporting bed from the rear toward the front thereof, means for travelling said conveyors from the rear toward the front of 'said playing bed to move said pushers into engagement with .pins to Vbe 20. In a bowling pin spotting machine having mechanism for positioning bowling pins in generally triangular standing playing configuration on theplaying bed of a bowling alley, mechanism for removing pins vfrom the playing bed of said alley, said alley having a pitadjacent said bed comprising a pin handling device movable into engagement with pins remaining standing on the playing bed of a bowling alley after a ball has been j thrown, means on said device for clamping said standing 1-9. In a pin clearing apparatus for use in removing unwanted pins from the playing bed of a bowling alley, a table adapted to be moved to and from a position above the pin supporting bed of said `alley into position for clamping -standing pins on said bowling alley bed after the rolling of a ball, a plurality of laterally spaced endless conveyors, a plurality of spaced resilient yrods iixed to said conveyors, a exible pin removing pusher mounted on each of said rods, means mounting said 'conveyors on said table for movement of said' pushers along said pin supporting bed from the rear to the front thereof,`

'means for moving said conveyors from the rear toward the front of said playing bed to travel said pin-removing pushers into engagement with pins rto be `removed from said alley and to convey said'pins forwardly Yup Y said alley to the front of saidvpin supporting bed clear of any clamped standing pins, drive means for saidlastsoiAV named means, an auxlliary pin conveying mechanismy A, mounted on said table, said mechanism comprising transversely movable conveying elements and means for .move ing said elements away from each other tol convey pins delivered into the range of `operation of said elements .by said pushers into thel gutters oflsaid bowling 'alley for delivery into the pit of said alley,

pins upright on said pin supporting bed of said alley in ytheir respective on or oi spot positions, means operative while said pins are clamped by said device on said alley bed for sweeping all fallen pins in a generally forward direction away from the pit of said bowling alley wherebyrsaid fallen pins are travelled from vthe base of said triangular conguration adjacent said pit toward the apex of said triangular coniiguration remote from said pit to provide said fallen pins with a substantially wider unobstructed path of travel adjacent said clamped pins to a point of removal from said playing bed of said alley and means positioned to receive pins delivered thereto by said last-named means Vand deliver them into the pit of said alley.

References Cited in the le of thispatent yUNITED STATES PATENTS 1,292,738v Estabrook ian. 2s, 1919 v .1,335,638 Barrett l Mar; 30, 1920 Y 1,806,274 williams 'May 19, 1931 v2,316,185 Patterson ca T; Apr.ll3,

A 2,361,233 Parra etai oct. 24,

2,411,348i Turner Nov. 19, 1946,.

Hutzelman g.; l 1an. 22, 1952 v

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