US3068004A - Pin and ball handling mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 11, 1962 G. A. GRUSS 'PIN AND BALL HANDLING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 29, 1959 l S n A S N u m R T s m A E G R z 0 h E G Y M. m "w P y -w m. M M 'l :5 Hi I Q w Ml 1962 G. A. GRUSS 3, 8,

PIN AND BALL HANDLING MECHANISM Filed June 29, 1959 FIG. 2

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

GEORGE A. GRUSS ATTORNEY Dec. 11, 1962 e. A. GRUSS PIN AND BALL HANDLING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 29, 1959 FIG. 4

FIG. 5

INVENTOR.

GEORGE A. GRUSS 4 ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofiice 3,0fi8,04 Patented Dec. 11, 1962 3,068,0154 PIN AND BALL HANDLING MECHANISM George A. Gruss, helby, Ohio, assignor to American Machine 8: Foundry Company, a corporation of New Jersey Filed June 29, 1959, Ser. No. 823,427 10 Claims. (Cl. 273-43) The present invention relates to bowling ball and pin handling apparatus and more particularly to apparatus for removing a bowling ball from the pit of a bowling alley to a ball return device.

In the game of bowling and especially in bowling alleys served by bowling pin spotting machines, it is desirable to maintain the elapsed time for handling balls and pins delivered into the pits at a minimum in order to speed play on the alleys. It is likewise highly desirable on alleys served by bowling pin spotting machines to prevent the exiting of pins from the pit of the alley into the ball return device, since such pin exit would disrupt the operation of both the ball return device and the pin setting mechanism of the associated machine. Heretofore, in order to prevent the escape of pins from the pit of an alley, doors have been provided in the pit, having a ballactuated opening mechanism, which was operative to minimize the number of pins exiting with a ball.

The present invention is characterized by the provisionin the pit of improved means operative to direct a ball deposited into the pit toward an opening in one of the kickbacks of the alley and to a ball return device. Mechanism embodying the invention preferably comprises a bounce board or platform positioned beneath the pit conveyor and a ball guide secured thereon which coact to urge a ball laterally of the pit through a ball opening in the kickbacks.

Further there is provided an improved system to prevent the exit of bowling pins from the pit. In the present invention there is provided an inclined travelling surface positioned preferably in the space between two side-byside or adjacent bowling alleys served by a common ball return device. This inclined travelling surface is located adjacent the ball exits of the two alleys to engage any pins attempting to escape from the pits with a ball. The ball exits themselves are preferably of an elongated generally key shape. Further, these exits are off-set from each other to prevent ball jams in the event two balls exit substantially simultaneously from both pits. A diverting member positioned adjacent the travelling surface and having a top member coacting with the key shape of the ball exits permits balls to exit from the pits. Pins, however, engaged by the travelling surface are conducted against the diverting member and around balls being returned to the ball return device. Pins thus conducted against the diverting member are urged thereby back into the pits from whence they came for delivery to their respective associated pin elevating device. Balls, however, gravitate on this travelling surface away from the diverting member to the common ball return device for return to the head end of the alley.

To prevent pins from exiting with or interfering with the exit of balls from a pit there is also provided a generally wedge-shaped pin deflector member positioned beneath the pit conveyor adjacent each ball exit. Pins on the conveyor passing the pin deflector are conducted thereby away from the ball exit permitting unhampcred exit of balls only out of the pit.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide novel mechanism for removing a ball from the pit of a bowling alley.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel ball handling mechanism utilizing a bounce board beneath the pit conveyor and a ball guide secured thereto to conduct a bowling ball from the pit of a bowling alley through an elongated ball exit to a ball return device.

An added object of this invention is to provide a novel pin handling mechanism to prevent the escape of pins from the pit of a bowling alley.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel pin handling mechanism including a travelling conveyor adjacent the ball exit operative to conduct pins escaping from the pit of an alley back thereinto.

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel pin handling mechanism including a travelling conveyor adjacent the ball exit and a deflector member coacting with the travelling conveyor to conduct pins only escaping from the pit of an alley back thereinto.

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel pin handling mechanism including a travelling conveyor adjacent a generally key shaped ball exit of a bowling alley and a deflector provided with a pair of upright cam surfaces and a top deflector plate, the cam surfaces being op erative to conduct pins only escaping from the pit of a bowling alley back thereinto while the top plate is operative to effect the exit of balls only through the widest portion of the ball exit, thereby permitting pins to be conducted therearound.

It is likewise an object of this invention to provide in the pits of a pair of side-by-side bowling alleys means for urging balls laterally thereacross toward the space provided between the alleys, alongated ball exits in each of the alleys for effecting the exit of balls in each of the pits to a common ball return device and mechanism positioned between the alleys adjacent the ball exits for returning pins escaping from either of the pits of the adjacent alleys back thereinto. The elongated exits are openings in the kickbacks having a central ball opening and other openings through which only pins can escape.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide in a pair of side-by-side bowling alleys an elongated ball exit in each of the pits, one exit being oifset from the exit of the other pit whereby balls passing substantially simultaneously into the space between the adjacent pits can move freely to a common ball return device located therebetween.

A further object of the invention is to provide a common ball and pin opening in the bickback of a bowling alley so constructed that if a pin tends to block the delivery of a ball from the pit of an alley both the ball and the pin may be moved freely through the opening to a point where the ball is separated from the pin (or pins) and the latter are redirected back into the pit for delivery to the pin elevating mechanism.

Other objects and features of the invention will appear as the description of the particular physical embodiment selected to illustrate the invention progresses. In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, like characters of reference have been applied to corresponding parts throughout the several views which make up the drawings.

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the pit ends of a pair of conventional side-by-side bowling alleys provided with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a detailed plan view of a portion of the present invention.

FIGURE 3 is a partial sectional front elevation of the mechanism shown in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a partial side elevation taken along line 4-4 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a view taken along line 5-5 of FIG- URE 1.

Referring to FIGURE 1, the bowling ball return mechanism chosen to illustrate a preferred embodiment is shown mounted between pits P1 and P2 of a pair of conventional side-by-side bowling alleys A1 and A2.

Bowling balls 16 and pins 11 removed from the playing surface of alleys A1 and A2 are deposited onto the upper lap of respective conveyors C1 and C2, which are preferably in continuous motion in the direction of arrows E, FIGURE 1. Conveyor C1 describes an inclined path of travel about rollers 12 and 14 mounted on transverse shafts 16 and 18, having their ends suitably supported in plates 20 and 22. Further, rollers 12 and 14 are supported on shafts 16 and 18 in plates 28 and 22 to incline conveyor C1 downwardly toward plate 22 for reasons set forth hereinbelow. Thus conveyor Cl is inclined toward the rear of pit P1 and towards plate 22 at one side thereof.

Conveyor C2 likewise describes an inclined path of travel around rollers 24 and 26 mounted on transverse shafts 28 and 30, having their ends suitably supported in plates 32 and 34. Rollers 24 and 26 are supported on shafts 28 and 30 in plates 32 and 34 to incline conveyor C2 toward plate 32 for reasons set forth hereinbelow. Thus conveyor C2 is inclined toward the rear of pit P2 and downwardly towards plate 32 at one side thereof; conveyors C1 and C2 thus being inclined toward the space therebetween. Plates 20, 22, 32 and 34 are secured to and from the rearward extension of conventional kickbacks K of their respective alleys A1 and A2 as shown in FIGURE 1.

Pins 11 deposited onto conveyors C1 and C2 are delivered thereby to the rear of their respective pits P1 and P2. Pins thus delivered to the rear of pit P1 are delivered over chute 36 and into a suitable elevating mechanism M1 mounted between plates 20 and 22 at the rear of pit P1 adjacent rear cross member 38. Plows 40 and 42 located adjacent opposite sides of conveyor C1 and suitably attached to the inner faces of plates 20 and 22, respectively, operate to direct pins on conveyor C1 over chute 36 and into elevating mechanism M1. Pins delivered to the rear of pit P2 are delivered over chute 44 and into a suitable elevating mechanism M2 mounted between plates 32 and 34 at the rear of pit P2 adjacent rear cross member 46. Plows 48 and 50 located at opposite sides of conveyor C2 and suitably attached to the inner side of the plates 32 and 34, respectively, operate to direct pins onto conveyor C2 over chute 44 and into elevating mechanism M2. Conveyors C1 and C2, chutes 36 and 44, pin elevating mechanisms M1 and M2 and plows 40 and 42 and 48 and 50, may be similar in construction and operation to those shown in Holloway et al. Patent 2,767,983 for Bowling Pin Elevating Mechanism. Only so much of a disclosure thereof as is necessary for a complete understanding of the present invention is included herein in the interests of brevity.

Platform 52 is mounted in an inclined manner beneath the upper lap of conveyor C1 as shown in FIGURE 1, and is secured on brackets 54 fixed to plates 20 and 22. Platform 52 is mounted in a manner similar to conveyor C1 with an inclination from the front to the rear of pit P1 and with an added inclination from plate 20 toward plate 22. Mounted on platform 52 adjacent edge 53 thereof, is a ball guide strip 56. Strip 56 is provided with a leading ball-engaging edge 57.

Mounted beneath conveyor C2 is another platform 60 as shown in FIGURE 1. Platform 60 is mounted in an inclined manner on brackets 62 secured to plates 32 and 34. Platform 60 is mounted in a manner similar to conveyor C2 with an inclination from the front to the rear of pit P2 with an added inclination from plate 34 toward plate 32. Mounted on platform 60 adjacent edge 61 thereof is a ball guide strip 64. Strip 64 is provided with a leading ball-engaging edge 65.

Each pit P1 and P2 is provided with a backstop member B1 and B2 respectively, supported transversely above its associated conveyor C1 or C2 and brackets 66 secured to suitable framework (not shown). Backstops B1 and B2 are spaced from the upper lap of their associated conveyor C1 and C2 a distance less than the diameter of a bowling ball, but greater than the maximum diameter of a bowling pin. Thus backstops B1 and B2 permit free passage therebeneath of pins 11, on their associated conveyors C1 and C2, but intercept all balls 10 carried thereon.

In operation, balls 10 thrown on alley A1 or A2 usually have sufiicient speed to cause an arc of a trajectory greater than the space provided in the pit. Therefore backstop members B1 and B2 are employed to deflect such balls 10 back onto the upper lap of its associated conveyor C1 or C2. A ball 10 thus deflected is provided with a rebound direction vector opposite to the direction of travel of the conveyors. The combined kinetic forces acting on the ball, coacting with the inclined mounting of the associated platform 52 and 60, strips 56 and 64 and conveyors C1 and C2 result in directing balls 10 laterally in pits P1 and P2 in a generally arcuate path of travel toward space S provided between alleys A1 and A2. This looping of balls results in delivering a ball 10 toward space S in a minimum of elapsed time. A ball 10 delivered into pit P1 or P2 without sufficient forward momentum to engage its associated backstop B1 or B2 will gravitate along the edge 57 or 65 of strips 56 or 64 and toward space S. Thus balls 10 regardless of the momentum with which they are delivered into the pits will be speedily conducted toward space S.

Balls 10 exiting from either pit P1 or P2 are returned via a common ball return device of which rails R form a part of and which may be similar in construction and operation to the ball return mechanism disclosed in Holloway et al. Patent 2,776,138. Balls thus exiting from pits P1 or P2 are returned to bowlers at the head end of alleys A1 and A2. To permit exiting of balls 10 from pits P1 or P2 plates 22 and 32 are each provided with a ball exit, 68 and 69 respectively as shown in FIGURE 4. Ball exits 68 and 69 are preferably of an elongated key shaped configuration (see FIGURE 4). The maximum vertical dimension of ball exits 68 and 69 are preferably slightly larger than the maximum diameter of a bowling ball. It will thus be apparent that balls 10, in order to exit from their respective pits P1 and P2 pass through the central portion of the exit, and into space S separating the adjacent or side-by-side alleys A1 or A2.

Referring to FIGURE 2, it will be noted that ball exit 69 is offset forwardly of ball exit 68. This otfset is operative to eliminate ball jams in space S when a ball 10 from pit P1 exits substantially simultaneously with a ball 10 from pit P2. In the event that two balls do exit into space S substantially simultaneously, the ball from pit P2 exiting through ball exit 69 will be the first to move toward the ball return device. This eliminates any possibility of balls preventing each other from movmg toward the ball return device (not shown).

A ball 10 entering space S is deposited upon the upper lap of another travelling conveyor 70, formed preferably of two separate belt members 72 and 74, each preferably provided with frictional cleats or protuberances 75 on their outer surfaces as shown best in FIGURES 2 and 4. Belts 72 and 74 describe an inclined path of travel around rollers 76 and 78 mounted on transverse shafts 80 and 82 respectively, which are suitably supported in plates 22 and 32. In order to drive conveyor 70, which is preferably continuously in motion in the direction of arrow G, FIG- URE 4, there is mounted on roller 78 between belts 72 and 74 a sheave 84. Belt 86 rotates at one end about sheave 84 and provides the drive for conveyor 70. Belt 86 at its other end passes around another sheave 88, which is secured adjacent the mid-portion of a shaft 90 freely supported in plates 22 and 32 adjacent elevating mechanisms M1 and M2. Likewise secured to shaft 90 adjacent plate 22 is a drive sprocket 92. Sprocket 92 provides the driving force for chains 94, which at its opposite end drives sprocket 96 secured to shaft 18. Also supported on shaft 90 adjacent plate 32 is another drive sprocket 98 which provides the driving force for a second chain 100 which in turn, at its other end, drives sprocket 102 fixed to the end of shaft 30 adjacent plate 22. To rotate shaft 90, there is provided a second sheave 1114 which is fixed to shaft 98 adjacent sprocket 98 (see FIG- URE l). Passing around sheave 104 is a drive belt 106 which is driven at its opposite end by any suitable drive source (not shown). Thus, shaft 1116 drives conveyors C1, C2 and 70 substantially simultaneously, C1 and C2 and 70 being driven in substantially the same direction.

If desired, another sheave similar to sheave 104 could be mounted on shaft 90 adjacent sprocket 92 and a second drive belt, similar to belt 186, could be mounted for travel therearound. Such an arrangement would permit driving of conveyors C1, C2 and 70 from a drive source associated with the automatic pin spotting machine serving either alley A1 or A2.

Balls exiting from pit P1 or P2 into space S are deposited onto conveyor 70. Balls 10, however, because of their weight and spherical shape, will roll or gravitate on conveyor 70 opposite to its direction of travel toward and onto rails R of the ball return device for rapid return thereby tothe head end of the alleys. However, any pins which gravitate or are inadvertently urged through openings 68 or 69 and onto conveyor 70 are frictionally engaged thereby and carried in the direction of arrow G, FIGURE 4. Positioned adjacent the upper lap of conveyor 70 adjacent roller 78 is a diverter member 108. Diverter 108 includes a pair of vertical, angularly-joined cam faces 110, whichare operative to direct pins engaged thereby in the direction of arrows F, FIGURE 2, and back into the pits from whence pins 11 had escaped for delivery to the associated elevating mechanism M1 or M2. As seen best in FIGURE 4, cam faces 110 are not only angularly-joined but their leading edge or junction 111 is on an oblique the top of edge 111 extending beyond the bottom thereof to facilitate return of pins 11 to their respective pits P1 or P2.

Diverter member 108 also includes a top plate 112 provided with arcuate leading edges 114 and 116'. Leading edges 114 and 116 of top plate 112 extend beyond cam faces 110, and diverter member 108 is of a height less than the maximum diameter of a bowling ball. Thus, balls exiting from either pit P1 or P2 will engage leading edge 116' or 114 and be conducted therealong toward ball return device R. This permits pins 11 on conveyor 7 t to be conducted thereby in the direction of arrows F, FIGURE 2, and around balls 10 and beneath plate 112, thus permitting pins 11 to be returned to their respective pit P1 or P2, even though a ball 10 is exiting therefrom. To ensure smooth, steady flow of pins 11 from space S back into their respective pits P1 or P2, plows 42 and 48 are preferably formed to constitute an extension of cam faces 110 (see FIGURE 2). Thus, plows 42 and 48 are formed to meet their associated cam face 110 at plate 22 and 32 respectively to form a continuous pin-engaging wall from space S into pits P1 and P2. Pins 11 engaged by conveyor 70 and moved against cam faces 110 are urged in an uninterrupted path of travel back into their respective pits P1 or P2.

" Likewise, to prevent the head of a pin 11 from becoming lodged between the edge of conveyor C1 or C2 and plates 22 and 32 respectively or under plows 42 and 48 as a pin 11 is travelled from space S into its respective pit P1 or P2, there is provided in each pit a pin-engaging bar 113 secured to the bottom of each plow 42 and 48 and extending therebeyond into the area adjacent openings 68 and 69 between the edge of conveyors C1 and plate 22 and the edge of conveyor C2 and plate 32. Bars 113 support the heads of any pins 11 attempting to pass into these 7 areas and become lodged therein thus ensuring continuous, steady flow of pins 11 from space S into pits P1 and P2.

In order to avoid pin jams adjacent the ball exits of the pits, and to prevent pins 11 from exiting with or inter there is provided a pin deflector member 116, secured to the upper surface of each platform 52 and 60 adjacent the front edge thereof on the bail exit side as shown in FIG- URE 1. Pin deflector 116 is preferably wedge-shaped and of generally right triangular cross section having, however, an oblique tapered edge 117. Pin deflector 116 is preferably a rigid material such as plastic, metal or wood, and is positioned on its associated platform 52 or 60 beneath their associated conveyors C1 or C2. As a pin 11 deposited on conveyor C1 or C2 is carried past deflector 116, the inclination or wedge-shape thereof is operative to urge a pin 11 away from the ball exit side of platform 52 or 60 and along oblique edge 117 thereof, and toward the middle of conveyors C1 or C2. Thus pins 11 are prevented from exiting with or interfering with the exit of a ball from either pit P1 or P2.

In operation, balls 10 removed from pits P1 and P2, are delivered by backstop B1 and strip 56 and by backstop B2 and strip 64 to ball exits 68 and 69 respectively. Balls 10 exiting through ball exit 69 engage arcuate edge 114 of top plate 112 of deflector 1118 and proceed there along into space S. A ball 10 thus in space S gravitates on conveyor 70, over saddle 118 and onto rails R of the ball device. A ball 10 passing through ball exit 68 will be engaged by and proceed along arcuate edge 116' of top plate 112 of deflector 108. A ball thus passing into space. S likewise gravitates on conveyor over saddle 118 mounted on bracket 119 supported transversely in plates 22 and 32, and onto rails R of the ball return device. It will be apparent that if a ball from pits P1 and P2 arrive substantially simultaneously into space S the ball from pit P2 is given preference in proceeding over saddle 118 since ball exit 69 is offset forwardly from ball exit 68 (see FIG- URE 1). To further insure that a ball from pit P2 will have preference in proceeding to the ball return device, platform 60 is further provided with a substantially rectangular dropoff notch 121). Thus a ball 10 in pit P2 approaching ball exit 69 experiences a drop in elevation as it passes therethrough, this provides the ball with some momentum when rolling out of pit P2 and likewise in the event a ball 10 is exited substantially simultaneously from space S in both pits P1 and P2, the ball from pit P2 being lower and closer to rails R will proceed thereto first, thereby eliminating any possibility of a ball jam in space S.

Thus there is provided a simple, efficient pin and ball handling mechanism for handling pins and balls deposited into the pits of adjacent bowling alleys.

What I claim is:

1. In a bowling alley having a pit at one end, said pit having means for delivering bowling balls deposited therein laterally thereof toward one of the kickbacks of said alley, a ball exit in said kickback comprising a substantially elongated opening in said kickback, said opening havmg a major section slightly larger than the diameter of a bowling'ball and an integral second section extending longitudinally from said major section, said second section being smaller than the diameter of a bowling ball, said sections coacting to permit passage of balls through said major section only and unobstructed passage of pins inadvertently moved through said major section and second section around balls passing through said opening and back into said pit, and means for effecting the return movement of pins through said opening and back into said pit.

2. In a bowling alley having a pit at one end, said pit having means for delivering bowling balls deposited therein laterally thereof toward one of the kickbacks of said alley, a ball exit in said kickback comprising a substantially key-shaped aperture having a central portion for the passage of balls therethrough, and said key-shaped aperture also formed with a restricted opening allowing only the free passage of pins inadvertently moved through said aperture around said balls passing through fering with the exit of ball 10 from either pit P1 or P2 d aper r and ac int aid pit, means for effecting the return movement of pins through said restricted opening back into said pit.

3. In a pair of side-by-side bowling alleys, each of said alleys having a pit at one end and conventional kickbacks at the sides of said pit, said alleys mounted with adjacent kickbacks thereof spaced at distance apart greater than the maximum diameter of a bowling ball, each of said pits having means for delivering bowling balls deposited therein laterally thereacross towards said adjacent kickbacks, a ball exit in each of said adjacent kickbacks comprising a substantially elongated opening having a major section slightly larger than the diameter of a bowling ball and a second section extending from said major section, said second section being smaller than the diameter of a bowling ball, said sections coacting to permit passage of balls through said openings and free passage of pins inadvertently moved through said openings around balls passing through said openings and back into respective pits, one of said openings being offset from the other of said openings toward the head end of said alleys whereby bowling balls passing substantially simultaneously through said openings are arranged for delivery to a common ball return device positioned between said alleys, a ball passing through said opening offset toward said head end of said alleys being arranged for delivery first to said ball return device, and means for effecting the return of pins through said openings and back into said pits.

4. In a bowling alley having a pit at one end, ball and pin handling mechanism comprising a travelling ball and pin engaging surface in said pit, means for driving said surface to conduct balls and pins thereon toward the rear of said pit, means in said pit for separating balls from pins, means co-acting with said surface to urge a ball in said pit laterally thereacross, an elongated ball exit at one side of said pit for effecting the passage of balls out of said pit, said exit comprising a major section slightly larger than the diameter of a bowling ball, through which the balls can exit from said pit and a second section extending from said major section, through which pins only can move, a second travelling member, means supporting said member adjacent said ball exit for receiving balls passing therethrough and conducting them to a ball return device, a diverting member positioned adjacent the upper lap of said second travelling member at a point remote from said ball return device, and means for travelling said member to move pins inadvertently removed from said pit in a direction opposite to the movement of balls toward said ball return device whereby pins on said second travelling member are moved against said diverting member and urged back through said sections into said pit.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said elongated ball exit is generally key-shaped to effect the passage of balls through the central portion of said exit, the shape of said exit being such as to effect the free passage of pins inadvertently moved through said ball exit around balls passing through said exit and back into said pit.

6. A pair of side-by-side bowling alleys, each of said alleys having a pit at one end and conventional kickbacks at the sides of said pit, said alleys mounted with adjacent kickbacks thereof spaced a distance apart greater than the maximum diameter of a bowling ball, pin and ball handling mechanism comprising an endless travelling member in each of said pits, means for driving said members to conduct balls and pins received thereon from the playing surface of its associated alley rearwardly of its associated pit, means in each of said pits for separating balls from pins, a support in each of said pits located beneath each of said travelling members, ball guide means on each of said supports, said surface, support, and guide means in each of said pits coacting to urge a ball therein laterally in an arcuate path of travel thereacross, said balls being urged in each of said pits toward said adjacent kickbacks, an opening in each of said adjacent kickbacks through which bowling balls exit from said pits,

an endless travelling surface located in said space between said adjacent kickbacks, means mounting said surface adjacent said ball exits for receiving balls passing through said exists and conducting them to a common ball return device, a diverting member positioned adjacent the upper lap of said travelling surface at a point remote from said ball return device, said diverting member being provided with two opposed deflecting faces, a substantially horizontal top plate mounted above said deflecting faces, said top plate extending beyond said opposed deflecting faces and into the path of travel of balls moving from either of said ball exits whereby balls exiting from either of said pits are engaged by said top plate and maintained thereby in spaced relationship with said deflecting faces to effect the free passage of pins around said balls and back into their respective pits, and means for driving said travelling surface to move pins inadvertently removed from said pits into operative relationship with said deflecting faces.

7. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein one of said ball exits is offset forwardly of the other of said ball exits whereby bowling balls, moving substantially simultaneously from each of said pits into said space therebetween, are arranged for delivery to said common ball return device, said ball passing through said forwardly offset ball exit being arranged for delivery first to said ball return device.

8. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said ball exits are generally key-shaped to effect the passage of balls through the central portions thereof, the shape of said exits being such as to effect the free passage of pins advertently moved out of said pits through the said ball exits around balls passing through said exits and back into their respective pits.

9. Pin handling apparatus for use with a bowling alley having a pit at one end and a ball discharge station adjacent one of the kickbacks of said alley in the pit thereof comprising a travelling surface, means mounting said surface adjacent said ball discharge station for receiving balls passing through said discharge station and conducting them to a ball return device, a diverting member positioned adjacent the upper lap of said travelling surface at a point remote from said ball return device, said diverting member having an inclined cam face transverse to said upper lap of said travelling surface, said diverting member also including a top plate etxending beyond said cam face and into the path of travel of balls moving through said ball discharge station, said top plate having a leading edge for engaging balls exiting from said pit and maintaining said balls in spaced relationship with said cam face whereby pins on said travelling surface are freely moved around said balls and back into said pit, and means for driving said travelling surface to move pins inadvertently removed from said pit into operative relationship with said cam face whereby said pins are urged back into said pit for delivery therefrom.

10. Pin handling appartaus for use with a pair of sideby-side bowling alleys, each of said alleys having a pit at one end and conventional kickbacks at the sides of said pit, said alleys mounted with adjacent kickbacks thereof spaced a distance apart greater than the maxi mum diameter of a bowling ball and having a ball exit in each of said adjacent kickbacks, pin and ball handling mechanism comprising an endless travelling conveyor, means mounting said conveyor adjacent said ball exits between said adjacent kickbacks for receiving balls passing through said exits and conducting them to a common ball return device, a diverting member positioned adjacent the upper lap of said travelling conveyor at a point remote from said ball return device, said diverting member having inclined angularly arranged cam faces, said cam faces being disposed in planes substantially at right angles to the upper lap of said conveyor, said diverting member also including a top plate extending beyond said cam faces and into the path of travel of balls mov- 9 ing through said ball exit, said top plate having a leading edge formed of two arcuate sections for engaging balls exiting from either of said pits and maintaining said balls in spaced relationship with said cam faces whereby pins on said conveyor are freely moved around said balls and back into their associated pits, and means for driving said travelling conveyor to move pins inadvertently removed from either of said pits into operative therefrom.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Zuercher et a1 Oct. 2, 1956

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