US3132863A - Bowling pin spotting machine having movable pin deck and stationary spotting, respotting table - Google Patents

Bowling pin spotting machine having movable pin deck and stationary spotting, respotting table Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3132863A
US3132863A US145608A US14560861A US3132863A US 3132863 A US3132863 A US 3132863A US 145608 A US145608 A US 145608A US 14560861 A US14560861 A US 14560861A US 3132863 A US3132863 A US 3132863A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
platform
spotting
respotting
bowling
pins
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US145608A
Inventor
Henry C Congelli
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
AMF Inc
Original Assignee
AMF Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by AMF Inc filed Critical AMF Inc
Priority to US145608A priority Critical patent/US3132863A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3132863A publication Critical patent/US3132863A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63DBOWLING GAMES, e.g. SKITTLES, BOCCE OR BOWLS; INSTALLATIONS THEREFOR; BAGATELLE OR SIMILAR GAMES; BILLIARDS
    • A63D5/00Accessories for bowling-alleys or table alleys
    • A63D5/08Arrangements for setting-up or taking away pins

Definitions

  • the bowling pin spotting machine After the last ball of a frame has been thrown, the bowling pin spotting machine performs a spotting cycle. At the beginning of this cycle, the alley bed is swept clear of pins. Then, the table is lowered and the spotting units spot a complete set of pins in playing position on the alley bed. Afterwards, the table and spotting units are raised out of the line of play.
  • One of the objects of this invention is to provide apparatus for handling bowling pins to spot and to respot the pins during the course of play, the apparatus being advantageous over machines of the type discussed above because it eliminates the necessity of the pin sweep of its associated drive mechanism and of the drive means for raising and lowering the table supporting the spotting units and the respotting devices, and it simplifies the construction of the apparatus for delivering pins to the spotting units.
  • Another object is to provide a bowling pin spotting machine wherein the framework or table supporting the spotting units and respotting devices is stationary and cooperates with a movable platform on which the pins are spotted and respotted.
  • a further object is to provide means for moving a movable platform relative to a stationary table to enable bowling pins to be spotted and respotted upon the platform.
  • Another object is to provide a means of moving and tilting a platform for removal of dead wood.
  • FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, illustrating one embodiment of the invention
  • FIGURE 2 is a top plan view, with portions broken away, of a portion of the mechanism shown in FIG- URE 1;
  • FIGURE 3 is a rear elevational view, with portions removed, of a portion of the mechanism shown in FIG- URE 1;
  • FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view, with portions removed, taken along line 4--4 of FIGURE 3;
  • FIGURE 5 is a Wiring diagram illustrating a control 3,132,863 Patented May 12, 1964 system for operating the embodiment shown in FIG- URES 14.
  • FIGURE 1 a bowling pin spotting machine mounted adjacent the pit 11 of a bowling alley installation.
  • the machine comprises a conveyor 12, a bowling pin elevating mechanism 13, a distributor 14, a table 15, a plurality of spotting units 16, a plurality of respotting devices 17 and a platform 18.
  • Conveyor 12 extends across the bottom of pit 11 and is adapted to be driven in the direction of the arrow in FIGURE 1 so that its upper lap moves toward the rear of the pit and moves any pins which fall onto the conveyor onto a guide chute 19.
  • Bowling pin elevating mechanism 13 is of the type disclosed in 2,767,983 Holloway et al., and arranged to receive the bowling pins from chute 19 and elevate such pins and discharge them onto the pin receiving and orienting chute 20 of distributor 14.
  • Brackets 22 are rigidly secured to parallel kickbacks 21 which extend along the side of pit 11 and platform 18. Brackets 22 are also rigidly secured to table 15 so that the table is stationary and is mounted above platform 18 and out of the line of play.
  • Table 15 supports spotting units 16 and respotting devices 17, the table, the spotting units and the respotting devices being similar to those disclosed in Patent 2,930,616 Holloway et al., except that in the present invention the table is stationary, whereas in the device disclosed in this patent the table is movable.
  • Distributor 14 is similar to the type disclosed in Patent 2,767,984 Zuercher, but differs in that, since table 15 is stationary, it is not necessary to construct distributor 14 so that it would move with the table. Distributor 14 is operative to distribute the bowling pins received from elevating mechanism 1'5 onto spotting units 16.
  • Platform 18 is wooden and has a flat, rectangular shape. Platform 18 is movable through a plurality of positions including a horizontal playing position indicated by the full lines in FIGURE 1, a horizontal spottingrespotting position indicated by the dotted lines at A in FIGURE 1, and an inclined dumping position indicated by the dotted lines at B in FIGURE 1.
  • a pair of parallel gutters 23 are rigidly secured to the sides of platform 18 for movement therewith.
  • Platform 18 includes a transversely extending plank 24 secured to the front end of the platform and engageable, when the platform is in the playing position, with a stationary stop. member 25. The stop member extends transversely across the front of alley bed 26 and is operative to align the upper surface of the platform with the upper surface of the alley bed, when the platform is in the playing position, so that the platform constitutes the rear portion of the playing-surface.
  • Platform 18 is pivotally mounted on a pair of parallel, laterally spaced support arms 27 and 28 by a pair of laterally spaced brackets 29 connected to the front ends of arms 27 and 28 and mounted adjacent and depending from the front portion of platform 18.
  • Arms 27 and 28 extend longitudinally beneath platform 18 and are pivotally connected at their rear ends to a pair of laterally spaced brackets 30 secured to a stationary base plate 31.
  • a strengthening rib 32 extends between the front ends of arms 27 and 28 and serves to further rigidify the platform support structure to prevent the platform from tilting to either side during operation thereof.
  • a rotatable shaft 33 is journaled at opposite ends in intermediate portions of arms 27 and 28 and extends horizontally and transversely beneath platform 18.
  • Shaft 33 is keyed adjacent opposite ends to a pair of parallel laterally spaced arms 34 and 35 which extend forwardly and downwardly from shaft 3-3.
  • Each of arms 34 and 35 carries a roller 36 engaged with base plate 31.
  • the base plate is preferably metallic and provides a wear-resistant surface for rollers 36.
  • Arm 34 has a lug 37 pivotally connected to one end of a link 38 having its other end pivotally connected to a crank 39 mounted on the output shaft 4% of a transmission 41 driven by an electric motor 42.
  • a sleeve 43 Rotatably mounted on shaft 33 and concentric thereto is a sleeve 43 having a pair of integral, parallel, laterally spaced arms 44 and 45 disposed between arms 34 and 35.
  • Each of arms 44 and 45 extends rearwardly and upwardly from sleeve 43 and carries a roller 46 engaged with a wear-resistant plate 47 secured to the bottom of platform 18.
  • Arm 45 has a lug 48 pivotally connected to one end of a link 49 having its other end pivotally connected to a crank 50 mounted on the output shaft 51 of a transmission 52 driven by an electric motor 53.
  • Transmissions 41 and 52 and motors 42 and 53 are mounted on base plate 31.
  • the motors are selectively operated in timed sequences, causing the spotting machine to perform a spotting cycle and a respotting cycle.
  • FIGURE 5 One way of accomplishing this is illustrated in FIGURE 5.
  • the actuation of motor 42 is controlled by a pair of single-pole, singlethrow, normally open switches 54 and '55 and the actuation of motor 53 is controlled by a pair of single-pole, single-throw, normally open switches 56 and 57.
  • Operation of switches 54 and 56 is controlled by a pair of cams S8 and 59. driven by a timing motor 60
  • operation of switches 55 and 57 is controlled by a pair of cams 61 and 62 driven by a timing motor 63.
  • Timing motors 6t and 63 have push-buttons 64 and 65, respectively, which, upon actuation thereof, cause the timing motors to rotate the cams driven thereby through one revolution (360).
  • the positions of the cams and switches shown in FIG- URE correspond to those which occur at the start of a spotting cycle and of a respotting cycle, the cams being driven in the direction of the arrows upon actuation of the timing motors associated therewith.
  • Each cam is arranged to close the switch and thereby actuate the motor associated therewith for a period of time sutficient only to enable the motor actuated by the closing of the switch to rotate the crank driven thereby through onehalf a revolution 180
  • Spotting units 16 are actuated by a shaft 66 keyed to a crank 67 driven in one direction by a spring 68 and in the opposite direction by a cable 69 which passes over a pair of pulleys 7i) and 71 and is connected to a lever 72.
  • lever 72 is pivoted about a horizontal pin 73 supported on a collar 74 mounted for rotation about a vertical pin 75.
  • Lever 72 has a lug 76 connected to the plunger 77 of a solenoid 78 mounted on collar 74 for rotation therewith, energization and deenergization of the solenoid being effective to pivot lever 72 about pin 73 and move a cam follower 79 relative to a cam 80 carried by output shaft 51.
  • Cam 80 4 has a cam groove 81 arranged to be in alignment with the cam follower so that, when the solenoid is energized, the cam follower moves into the cam groove.
  • the actuation of solenoid 7 8 is controlled by a single-pole, singlethrow, normally open switch 32 actuated by a cam 83 driven by timing motor 63.
  • a guard 8- is attached to the forward end of platform 18 and includes a transversely extending bar 85 which, when the platform is raised, is operative to prevent any bowling balls from rolling from the alley bed and under the platform.
  • a weighted curtain 86 is connected to the front end of platform 18 and is draped over rail 85 to improve appearance and prevent any misplaced pins from rolling under platform 18.
  • a pair of laterally spaced stop members 87 and 88 are engageable with the under surface of gutters 23, when the platform 18 is in the playing position, and support the rear of the gutters and platform to insure that the platform will be level and in alignment with the upper surface of the alley bed.
  • cranks 39 and Sit are horizontal and point substantially directly toward the front, or left, as viewed in FIGURE 1.
  • FIGURE 1 Let us assume, for the purpose of describing the operation 'of the spotting machine, that platform 18 is in its playing position, a player has just thrown the first ball of .a frame and he did not get a. strike, i.e., at least one pin remains standing. In such an event, it is necessary that the spotting machine perform a respotting cycle.
  • push-button 64 is. depressed to energize timing motor 60 which rotates cams 5S and 59 through one revolution.
  • cams 58 and 59 close switches 54 and 56 and actuate motors 42 and 53 so that they rotate cranks 39 and 50 through onehalf a revolution.
  • Rotation of crank 39 pivots arms 34 and 35 so that rollers 36 roll rearwardly and thereby pivot arms 27 and 28 clockwise, as viewed in FIGURE 1, to raise brackets 29 and the front end of platform 18.
  • the rotation of crank 55 swings arms 44 and 45 so that rollers 46 roll forwardly along plates 47 and thereby pivot platform 18 counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG- URE 1, about brackets 29.
  • the parts are proportioned so that the raising of brackets 29 and the pivotal movement of platform 18 thereabout causes platform 13 to remain horizontal and thereby raise any standing pins without causing them to topple or fall over.
  • each stand ing pin actuates a respotting device 17 which, at this point in the cycle, merely grips the pin.
  • crank 56 is rotated through another one-half of a revolution. That is, during this portion of the cycle, crank Si? is returned to its starting position in which it points forwardly.
  • This rotation of crank 53 pivots arms 44 and 45 clockwise, as viewed in FIGURE 1, whereby rollers 46 roll rearwa'rdly and allow platform 18 to pivot, due to its own weight, clockwise as viewed in FIG- URE 1, from position A to dumping position B.
  • platform 18 In the dumping position, platform 18 is rearwardly inclined at an angle sufficiently great so that all pins on either the platform or gutters slide or roll therealong and are dumped onto conveyor 12.
  • the respotting devices hold the pins gripped thereby in posi tions spaced from and above the platform.
  • crank 50 pivots arms 44 and 45 in a counter-clockwise direction as Q viewed in FIGURE 1 and thereby pivots platform 18 counter-clockwise from its dumping position B back to respotting position A.
  • the platform moves into position A, it engages the bottom of each pin held by the respotting devices, causing such pin to. be released and respotted on the platform.
  • both switches 54 and 56 are closed to actuate motors 42 and 53 to rotate cranks 39 and 59 through one-half revolution and into their forwardly pointing positions.
  • cranks 39 and 50 rotate, arms 34, 35, 44 and 45 are pivoted clockwise as viewed in FIGURE 1 so that the platform remains horizontal and is lowered into its playing position and thereby carries with it the respotted pins.
  • switch 55 is open and switches 57 and 82 are closed.
  • Switch 57 is closed to operate motor 53 to rotate crank 55 through one-half revolution causing platform 18 to be pivoted from dumping position B into spotting position A.
  • switches 55 and 57 are closed whereby motors 42 and 53 rotate cranks 39 and 50 through one-half revolution so that platform 18 remains horizontal and is lowered from position A to its playing position.
  • Cam 83 also closes switch 82 during the initial portion of the last one-third revolution whereby solenoid 7% remains energized for a period sufiicient to allow the pins spotted on platform 18 to clear the spotting units.
  • switch 82 opens and de-energizes solenoid 78 whereupon cam follower 79 is disengaged from cam 80, allowing the spotting units to be moved into their storage position so that they can be filled with a set of pins and allowing lever '72 to be pivoted into its normally inactive position, by the bias of spring 68.
  • a bowling pin spotting machine the combination of a generally horizontal stationary table fixedly mounted out of the line of play, spotting means supported by said table, respotting means supported by said table, a generally vertically movable platform disposed beneath said table and adapted to support a complete set of freely standing bowling pins in playing positions, and means for moving said platform vertically in horizontal aspect relative to said table sequentially through a plurality of predetermined positions to perform a spotting cycle and a respotting cycle.
  • a bowling pin spotting machine the combination of a generally horizontal stationary table, a plurality of spotting units operatively supported by said table, a plurality of respotting devices operatively supported by said table, a flat movable platform mounted below said table for supporting a complete set of freely standing bowling pins, and driving means for moving said platform generally vertically in horizontal aspect between a first position in which said platform is adapted to support bowling pins in playing position and a plurality of other positions including at least one in which bowling pins can be spotted and respotted on. said platform.
  • a platform having a fiat upwardly facing surface adapted, when in a horizontal position, to support a plurality of bowling pins thereon, means mounting said platform for movement between a plurality of positions including a first position wherein said surface is aligned with the upper surface of the alley and constitutes a playing area for supporting bowling pins during play, a second position wherein said surface is horizontal and spaced above said first position, and a third position wherein said surface is inclined downwardly and toward the rear of the pit so that any pins resting on said plat-' form are dumped into the pit, a plurality of spotting units mounted above said platform and operable to spot a plurality of bowling pins on said platform, a plurality of respotting devices operable to respot standing pins on said platform, and driving means for moving said platform and wherein said driving means is operative to move said platform through a respotting cycle by sequentially moving said platform from said first position to said second
  • a bowling pin spotting machine in accordance with claim 3 wherein said driving means is operative to move said platform through a spotting cycle by sequentially moving said platform from said first position to said third position to said second position and back to said first position, said spotting units being operative to spot a set of pins on said platform when said platform moves into said second position.
  • a bowling pin spotting machine the combination of a stationary table, spotting means mounted on said table, respotting means mounted on said table, a fiat platform disposed beneath said table and adapted, when in a playing position, to constitute a portion of the playing surface of the alley bed, support arm means mounted for pivotal movement about a fixed, transversely-extending, horizontal axis, said support arm means being pivotally connected to said platform adjacent one end thereof, driven means engaged with said platform and selectively operable to pivot said platform about said support arm means, and driving means operative to move said support arm means and said driven means to move said platform between a plurality of positions including a playing position, a dumping position, and a spot-respot position spaced above and parallel to said playing position.
  • a bowling pin spotting machine in accordance with claim 6 wherein said driving means is operative to actuate said support arm means and said driven means to move said platform through a respotting cycle by sequentially moving said platform from said playing position to said spot-respot position to said dumping position to said spot-respot position and back to said playing position.
  • a flat platform movable between a plurality of positions including a playing position in which said platform constitutes a portion of the playing area of a bowling alley; first support means pivotally supporting said platform at a location adjacent one end of said platform; second support means pivotally supporting said platform at a location adjacent the other end of said platform; means for moving said first support means to pivot said platform about said second support means; and means for moving said first and second support means concurrently to elevate and lower said platform while maintaining said platform substantially horizontal during said elevating and lowering of said platform.
  • a bowling pin spotting machine in accordance with claim 8 which further includes a stationary table disposed above said movable platform, a plurality of spotting units operably mounted on said table, and a plurality of respotting devices operably mounted on said table.
  • a platform having a flat surface said platform being normally disposed in a first position, in which said fiat surface is horizontal and forms a continuation of a playing surface of a bowling alley, said platform being movable to a second position, in which said fiat surface is adequately inclined toward a pit so that any pins on said 'fiat surface are dumped into the pit, and to a third position in which said flat surface is horizontal and at an elevation above that of the first position; a stationary table generally vertically above said fiat surface when said platform is in said first position; pin spotting means carried by said table to deposit a complete set of freely standing bowling pins on said fiat surface when said platform is in said third position; and means for moving said platform to each of said positions, said means maintaining said flat surface substantially horizontal during movement of said platform from said third position to said first position to prevent toppling of said standing bowling pins.
  • a platform having a flat surface said platform being normally disposed in a first position, in which said flat surface is horizontal and forms a continuation of a playing surface of a bowling alley, said platform being movable to a second position, in which said flat surface is horizontal and at an elevation above that of the first position, and to a third position in which said flat surface is sufficiently inclined toward a pit so that any pins on said fiat surface are dumped into the pit; a stationary table, said table being vertically above said flat surface when said platform is in said third position; bowling pin respotting means carried by said table to grip standing respot pins on said platform when said platform is in said second position, said respot means being effective to hold said respot pins while said table moves from said second position to said third position and back to said second position, and to respot said respot pins on said surface when said platform is again in said second position; said platform being maintained with its surface substantially horizontal during movement
  • a bowling pin spotting and respotting machine operable to perform a spotting cycle and a respotting cycle, the combination of a table fixed above the plane of the playing surface of a bowling alley, a plurality of bowling pin spotting devices carried by said table, a plurality of bowling pin respotting devices carried by said table; a platform below said table, said platform having a flat projection-free, upwardly-facing surface in general alignment with said table, said platform being normally disposed in a first position, in which said flat surface is horizontal and forms a continuation of the playing surface of a bowling alley, and driving means for moving said platform; so that, during a spotting cycle, said driving means moves said platform to a spotting position in which said flat surface is horizontal and said platform is elevated above its first position and is aligned with said plurality of spotting devices, said spotting devices being then effective to deposit a complete set of freely standing bowling pins on said flat surface whereupon said driving means moves said platform to

Landscapes

  • Toys (AREA)

Description

6 1 8 .L m 2 h I K ,0 L w 3 e e NG MACHINE HAVING MOVABLE PIN DE AND STATIONARY SPOTTING, RESPOTTING TABLE Filed Oct. 17, 1961 May 12, 1964 H. c. CONGELLI BOWLING PIN SPOTTI INVENTOR HENRY C.OONGELL| ATTORN EY May 12, 1964 BOWLING PIN SPOTTING MACHINE HAVING MOVABLE PIN ONARY SPOTTING, RESPOTTING TABLE AND STATI Filed Oct. 17, 1961 H C. CONGELLI DECK ' 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 HENRY C. GONGELLI ATTORNEY M y 12, 6 H. c. CONGELLI 3 63 BOWLING PIN SPOTTING MACHINE HAVING MOVABLE PIN DECK AND STATIONARY SPOTTING, RESPOTTING TABLE Filed OGt. 17, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. HENRY c. CONGELLI ATTORN EY May 1 1964 H. c. CONGELLI 3,132,863
BOWLING PIN SPOTTING MACHINE HAVING MOVABLE PIN DECK AND STATIONARY SPOTTING, RESPOTTING TABLE Filed OCC. 17, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG.5
INVENTOR HENRY C. CONGELLI BY %Md% ATTORN Y United States Patent (:e
3,132,863 BOWLING PIN SPOTTING MACHINE HAVING MGVABLE PIN DECK AND STATIONARY SPOTTENG, RESPQTTWG TABLE Henry C. Congelli, Stamford, Conn, assignor to American Machine 8: Foundry Company, a corporation of New Jersey Filed Get. 17, 1961, Ser. No. 145,698 12 Claims. (Cl. 273 43) This invention relates to bowling pin spotting machines.
Heretofore, it has been common to provide a bowling pin spotting machine with spotting units and with respotting devices which are mounted on some form of a framework or table that moves vertically relative to the playing surface of the alley bed during operating of the bowling pin spotting machine. During the course of play, if any bowling pins remain standing on the alley after the first ball of a frame has been thrown, the bowling pin spotting machine performs a respotting cycle. To accomplish this, the table is lowered and raised to enable the respotting devices to grip and pick up the standing pins. Then, a pin sweep clears the alley of any deadwood. Afterwards, the table is lowered and the respotting devices respot the pins on the alley. Then, the table and respotting devices are raised out of the line of play.
After the last ball of a frame has been thrown, the bowling pin spotting machine performs a spotting cycle. At the beginning of this cycle, the alley bed is swept clear of pins. Then, the table is lowered and the spotting units spot a complete set of pins in playing position on the alley bed. Afterwards, the table and spotting units are raised out of the line of play.
One of the objects of this invention is to provide apparatus for handling bowling pins to spot and to respot the pins during the course of play, the apparatus being advantageous over machines of the type discussed above because it eliminates the necessity of the pin sweep of its associated drive mechanism and of the drive means for raising and lowering the table supporting the spotting units and the respotting devices, and it simplifies the construction of the apparatus for delivering pins to the spotting units.
Another object is to provide a bowling pin spotting machine wherein the framework or table supporting the spotting units and respotting devices is stationary and cooperates with a movable platform on which the pins are spotted and respotted.
A further object is to provide means for moving a movable platform relative to a stationary table to enable bowling pins to be spotted and respotted upon the platform.
Another object is to provide a means of moving and tilting a platform for removal of dead wood.
In order that the manner in which these and other objects are attained in accordance with the invention can be understood in detail, reference is had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, illustrating one embodiment of the invention;
FIGURE 2 is a top plan view, with portions broken away, of a portion of the mechanism shown in FIG- URE 1;
FIGURE 3 is a rear elevational view, with portions removed, of a portion of the mechanism shown in FIG- URE 1;
FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view, with portions removed, taken along line 4--4 of FIGURE 3; and
FIGURE 5 is a Wiring diagram illustrating a control 3,132,863 Patented May 12, 1964 system for operating the embodiment shown in FIG- URES 14.
Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIGURE 1 a bowling pin spotting machine mounted adjacent the pit 11 of a bowling alley installation. The machine comprises a conveyor 12, a bowling pin elevating mechanism 13, a distributor 14, a table 15, a plurality of spotting units 16, a plurality of respotting devices 17 and a platform 18.
Conveyor 12 extends across the bottom of pit 11 and is adapted to be driven in the direction of the arrow in FIGURE 1 so that its upper lap moves toward the rear of the pit and moves any pins which fall onto the conveyor onto a guide chute 19. Bowling pin elevating mechanism 13 is of the type disclosed in 2,767,983 Holloway et al., and arranged to receive the bowling pins from chute 19 and elevate such pins and discharge them onto the pin receiving and orienting chute 20 of distributor 14.
A pair of brackets 22 are rigidly secured to parallel kickbacks 21 which extend along the side of pit 11 and platform 18. Brackets 22 are also rigidly secured to table 15 so that the table is stationary and is mounted above platform 18 and out of the line of play. Table 15 supports spotting units 16 and respotting devices 17, the table, the spotting units and the respotting devices being similar to those disclosed in Patent 2,930,616 Holloway et al., except that in the present invention the table is stationary, whereas in the device disclosed in this patent the table is movable.
Distributor 14 is similar to the type disclosed in Patent 2,767,984 Zuercher, but differs in that, since table 15 is stationary, it is not necessary to construct distributor 14 so that it would move with the table. Distributor 14 is operative to distribute the bowling pins received from elevating mechanism 1'5 onto spotting units 16.
Platform 18 is wooden and has a flat, rectangular shape. Platform 18 is movable through a plurality of positions including a horizontal playing position indicated by the full lines in FIGURE 1, a horizontal spottingrespotting position indicated by the dotted lines at A in FIGURE 1, and an inclined dumping position indicated by the dotted lines at B in FIGURE 1. A pair of parallel gutters 23 are rigidly secured to the sides of platform 18 for movement therewith. Platform 18 includes a transversely extending plank 24 secured to the front end of the platform and engageable, when the platform is in the playing position, with a stationary stop. member 25. The stop member extends transversely across the front of alley bed 26 and is operative to align the upper surface of the platform with the upper surface of the alley bed, when the platform is in the playing position, so that the platform constitutes the rear portion of the playing-surface.
Platform 18 is pivotally mounted on a pair of parallel, laterally spaced support arms 27 and 28 by a pair of laterally spaced brackets 29 connected to the front ends of arms 27 and 28 and mounted adjacent and depending from the front portion of platform 18. Arms 27 and 28 extend longitudinally beneath platform 18 and are pivotally connected at their rear ends to a pair of laterally spaced brackets 30 secured to a stationary base plate 31. A strengthening rib 32 extends between the front ends of arms 27 and 28 and serves to further rigidify the platform support structure to prevent the platform from tilting to either side during operation thereof.
A rotatable shaft 33 is journaled at opposite ends in intermediate portions of arms 27 and 28 and extends horizontally and transversely beneath platform 18. Shaft 33 is keyed adjacent opposite ends to a pair of parallel laterally spaced arms 34 and 35 which extend forwardly and downwardly from shaft 3-3. Each of arms 34 and 35 carries a roller 36 engaged with base plate 31. The base plate is preferably metallic and provides a wear-resistant surface for rollers 36. Arm 34 has a lug 37 pivotally connected to one end of a link 38 having its other end pivotally connected to a crank 39 mounted on the output shaft 4% of a transmission 41 driven by an electric motor 42.
Rotatably mounted on shaft 33 and concentric thereto is a sleeve 43 having a pair of integral, parallel, laterally spaced arms 44 and 45 disposed between arms 34 and 35. Each of arms 44 and 45 extends rearwardly and upwardly from sleeve 43 and carries a roller 46 engaged with a wear-resistant plate 47 secured to the bottom of platform 18. Arm 45 has a lug 48 pivotally connected to one end of a link 49 having its other end pivotally connected to a crank 50 mounted on the output shaft 51 of a transmission 52 driven by an electric motor 53. Transmissions 41 and 52 and motors 42 and 53 are mounted on base plate 31.
When motor 42 is actuated, output shaft 50 rotates crank 33 to drive link 38 and oscillate shaft 33 at arms 34 and 35 about the axis of shaft 33. Such movement of arms 34 and 35 rolls rollers 36 along plate 31 and thereby'produces forces which, acting through shaft 33 on arms 27 and 28, pivots or oscillates arms 27 and 28 about a transverse, horizontal, stationary axis extending through brackets 3%. Movement of arms 27 and 23 moves brackets 22% and platform 18.
When motor 53 is actuated, output shaft 51 rotates crank 59 which drives link 49 to oscillate sleeve 43 and oscillate arms 44 and 45 about the axis of sleeve 43. Oscillation of arms 44 and 45 rolls rollers 46along plates 47 and thereby pivots platform 18 about a transverse, horizontal axis extending through brackets 2%. This axis is movable and is parallel to the axis of rotation of arms 27 and 28.
The motors are selectively operated in timed sequences, causing the spotting machine to perform a spotting cycle and a respotting cycle. One way of accomplishing this is illustrated in FIGURE 5. As shown, the actuation of motor 42 is controlled by a pair of single-pole, singlethrow, normally open switches 54 and '55 and the actuation of motor 53 is controlled by a pair of single-pole, single-throw, normally open switches 56 and 57. Operation of switches 54 and 56 is controlled by a pair of cams S8 and 59. driven by a timing motor 60, whereas operation of switches 55 and 57 is controlled by a pair of cams 61 and 62 driven by a timing motor 63. Timing motors 6t and 63 have push-buttons 64 and 65, respectively, which, upon actuation thereof, cause the timing motors to rotate the cams driven thereby through one revolution (360).
The positions of the cams and switches shown in FIG- URE correspond to those which occur at the start of a spotting cycle and of a respotting cycle, the cams being driven in the direction of the arrows upon actuation of the timing motors associated therewith. Each cam is arranged to close the switch and thereby actuate the motor associated therewith for a period of time sutficient only to enable the motor actuated by the closing of the switch to rotate the crank driven thereby through onehalf a revolution 180 Spotting units 16 are actuated by a shaft 66 keyed to a crank 67 driven in one direction by a spring 68 and in the opposite direction by a cable 69 which passes over a pair of pulleys 7i) and 71 and is connected to a lever 72. As best seen in FIGURE 4, lever 72 is pivoted about a horizontal pin 73 supported on a collar 74 mounted for rotation about a vertical pin 75. Lever 72 has a lug 76 connected to the plunger 77 of a solenoid 78 mounted on collar 74 for rotation therewith, energization and deenergization of the solenoid being effective to pivot lever 72 about pin 73 and move a cam follower 79 relative to a cam 80 carried by output shaft 51. Cam 80 4 has a cam groove 81 arranged to be in alignment with the cam follower so that, when the solenoid is energized, the cam follower moves into the cam groove. The actuation of solenoid 7 8 is controlled by a single-pole, singlethrow, normally open switch 32 actuated by a cam 83 driven by timing motor 63.
A guard 8- is attached to the forward end of platform 18 and includes a transversely extending bar 85 which, when the platform is raised, is operative to prevent any bowling balls from rolling from the alley bed and under the platform. A weighted curtain 86 is connected to the front end of platform 18 and is draped over rail 85 to improve appearance and prevent any misplaced pins from rolling under platform 18.
A pair of laterally spaced stop members 87 and 88 are engageable with the under surface of gutters 23, when the platform 18 is in the playing position, and support the rear of the gutters and platform to insure that the platform will be level and in alignment with the upper surface of the alley bed.
Operation Vt/hen platform 18 is in its playing position, cranks 39 and Sit are horizontal and point substantially directly toward the front, or left, as viewed in FIGURE 1. Let us assume, for the purpose of describing the operation 'of the spotting machine, that platform 18 is in its playing position, a player has just thrown the first ball of .a frame and he did not get a. strike, i.e., at least one pin remains standing. In such an event, it is necessary that the spotting machine perform a respotting cycle. To accomplish this, push-button 64 is. depressed to energize timing motor 60 which rotates cams 5S and 59 through one revolution.
During the first one-quarter revolution, cams 58 and 59 close switches 54 and 56 and actuate motors 42 and 53 so that they rotate cranks 39 and 50 through onehalf a revolution. Rotation of crank 39 pivots arms 34 and 35 so that rollers 36 roll rearwardly and thereby pivot arms 27 and 28 clockwise, as viewed in FIGURE 1, to raise brackets 29 and the front end of platform 18. The rotation of crank 55 swings arms 44 and 45 so that rollers 46 roll forwardly along plates 47 and thereby pivot platform 18 counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG- URE 1, about brackets 29. The parts are proportioned so that the raising of brackets 29 and the pivotal movement of platform 18 thereabout causes platform 13 to remain horizontal and thereby raise any standing pins without causing them to topple or fall over. As the platform moves into its 'respotting position A, each stand ing pin actuates a respotting device 17 which, at this point in the cycle, merely grips the pin.
During the second one-quarter revolution of cams 58 and 59, switch 54 is open and switch 56 is closed for a period of time sufficient to actuate motor 53 whereby crank 56 is rotated through another one-half of a revolution. That is, during this portion of the cycle, crank Si? is returned to its starting position in which it points forwardly. This rotation of crank 53 pivots arms 44 and 45 clockwise, as viewed in FIGURE 1, whereby rollers 46 roll rearwa'rdly and allow platform 18 to pivot, due to its own weight, clockwise as viewed in FIG- URE 1, from position A to dumping position B. In the dumping position, platform 18 is rearwardly inclined at an angle sufficiently great so that all pins on either the platform or gutters slide or roll therealong and are dumped onto conveyor 12. As the platform moves from the respotting position to the dumping position, the respotting devices hold the pins gripped thereby in posi tions spaced from and above the platform.
During the third one-quarter revolution of cams 53 and 59, switch 54 is open and switch 56 is closed to actuate motor 53 and cause crank 50 to be rotated through one-half revolution. This rotation of crank 50 pivots arms 44 and 45 in a counter-clockwise direction as Q viewed in FIGURE 1 and thereby pivots platform 18 counter-clockwise from its dumping position B back to respotting position A. As the platform moves into position A, it engages the bottom of each pin held by the respotting devices, causing such pin to. be released and respotted on the platform.
During the fourth and last one-quarter revolution of cams 58 and 59, both switches 54 and 56 are closed to actuate motors 42 and 53 to rotate cranks 39 and 59 through one-half revolution and into their forwardly pointing positions. As cranks 39 and 50 rotate, arms 34, 35, 44 and 45 are pivoted clockwise as viewed in FIGURE 1 so that the platform remains horizontal and is lowered into its playing position and thereby carries with it the respotted pins.
When it is desired to spot a set of pins, such as after the last ball of a frame has been thrown, push button 65 is depressed to actuate timing motor 63 which rotates cams 55, 57 and 83 through one revolution. During the first one-third revolution, switches 57 and 82 are open and switch 55 is closed for a period of time sufficient for motor 42 to rotate crank 39 through one-half revolution. This rotation of crank 39 pivots arms 34 and 35 causing arms 27 and 28 to raise brackets 29 and platform 18 from the playing position into dumping position.
During the second one-third revolution, switch 55 is open and switches 57 and 82 are closed. Switch 57 is closed to operate motor 53 to rotate crank 55 through one-half revolution causing platform 18 to be pivoted from dumping position B into spotting position A.
During the third or last one-third revolution, switches 55 and 57 are closed whereby motors 42 and 53 rotate cranks 39 and 50 through one-half revolution so that platform 18 remains horizontal and is lowered from position A to its playing position.
When, during the second one-third revolution, switch 82 is closed by cam 83, solenoid 7% is energized and moves cam follower 79 into engagement with cam groove 81 of cam 81 The cam groove is arranged so that, as motor 53 rotates cam 8t), lever 72 is pivoted clockwise as viewed in FIGURE 2 causing cable 69 to rotate crank 67 against the bias of spring 68 and swing spotting units 16 into their spotting positions. This movement occurs in a timed relationship relative to movement of the platform so that, as the platform moves into position A, the pins are deposited on the platform. Cam 83 also closes switch 82 during the initial portion of the last one-third revolution whereby solenoid 7% remains energized for a period sufiicient to allow the pins spotted on platform 18 to clear the spotting units. After the pins are clear, switch 82 opens and de-energizes solenoid 78 whereupon cam follower 79 is disengaged from cam 80, allowing the spotting units to be moved into their storage position so that they can be filled with a set of pins and allowing lever '72 to be pivoted into its normally inactive position, by the bias of spring 68.
While only one embodiment has been disclosed, it will be apparent that many changes can be made in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
What is claimed is:
1. In a bowling pin spotting machine, the combination of a generally horizontal stationary table fixedly mounted out of the line of play, spotting means supported by said table, respotting means supported by said table, a generally vertically movable platform disposed beneath said table and adapted to support a complete set of freely standing bowling pins in playing positions, and means for moving said platform vertically in horizontal aspect relative to said table sequentially through a plurality of predetermined positions to perform a spotting cycle and a respotting cycle.
2. In a bowling pin spotting machine, the combination of a generally horizontal stationary table, a plurality of spotting units operatively supported by said table, a plurality of respotting devices operatively supported by said table, a flat movable platform mounted below said table for supporting a complete set of freely standing bowling pins, and driving means for moving said platform generally vertically in horizontal aspect between a first position in which said platform is adapted to support bowling pins in playing position and a plurality of other positions including at least one in which bowling pins can be spotted and respotted on. said platform.
3. In a bowling pin spotting machine, the combination of a platform having a fiat upwardly facing surface adapted, when in a horizontal position, to support a plurality of bowling pins thereon, means mounting said platform for movement between a plurality of positions including a first position wherein said surface is aligned with the upper surface of the alley and constitutes a playing area for supporting bowling pins during play, a second position wherein said surface is horizontal and spaced above said first position, and a third position wherein said surface is inclined downwardly and toward the rear of the pit so that any pins resting on said plat-' form are dumped into the pit, a plurality of spotting units mounted above said platform and operable to spot a plurality of bowling pins on said platform, a plurality of respotting devices operable to respot standing pins on said platform, and driving means for moving said platform and wherein said driving means is operative to move said platform through a respotting cycle by sequentially moving said platform from said first position to said second position to said third position to said second posi tion and back to said first position, said respotting devices being operable to grip standing pins as said platform moves into said second position from said first position and to release such pins when said platform moves into said second position from said third position.
4. A bowling pin spotting machine in accordance with claim 3 wherein said driving means is operative to move said platform through a spotting cycle by sequentially moving said platform from said first position to said third position to said second position and back to said first position, said spotting units being operative to spot a set of pins on said platform when said platform moves into said second position.
5 In a bowling pin spotting machine, the combination of a stationary table, spotting means mounted on said table, respotting means mounted on said table, a fiat platform disposed beneath said table and adapted, when in a playing position, to constitute a portion of the playing surface of the alley bed, support arm means mounted for pivotal movement about a fixed, transversely-extending, horizontal axis, said support arm means being pivotally connected to said platform adjacent one end thereof, driven means engaged with said platform and selectively operable to pivot said platform about said support arm means, and driving means operative to move said support arm means and said driven means to move said platform between a plurality of positions including a playing position, a dumping position, and a spot-respot position spaced above and parallel to said playing position.
6. A bowling pin spotting machine in accordance with claim 5 wherein said driving means is operative to move said platform through a spotting cycle by sequentially moving said platform from said playing position to said dumping position to said spot-respot position and back to said playing position.
7. A bowling pin spotting machine in accordance with claim 6 wherein said driving means is operative to actuate said support arm means and said driven means to move said platform through a respotting cycle by sequentially moving said platform from said playing position to said spot-respot position to said dumping position to said spot-respot position and back to said playing position.
8. In a bowling pin spotting machine the combination of a flat platform movable between a plurality of positions including a playing position in which said platform constitutes a portion of the playing area of a bowling alley; first support means pivotally supporting said platform at a location adjacent one end of said platform; second support means pivotally supporting said platform at a location adjacent the other end of said platform; means for moving said first support means to pivot said platform about said second support means; and means for moving said first and second support means concurrently to elevate and lower said platform while maintaining said platform substantially horizontal during said elevating and lowering of said platform.
9. A bowling pin spotting machine in accordance with claim 8 which further includes a stationary table disposed above said movable platform, a plurality of spotting units operably mounted on said table, and a plurality of respotting devices operably mounted on said table.
10; In a bowling pin spotting machine, the combination of a platform having a flat surface; said platform being normally disposed in a first position, in which said fiat surface is horizontal and forms a continuation of a playing surface of a bowling alley, said platform being movable to a second position, in which said fiat surface is suficiently inclined toward a pit so that any pins on said 'fiat surface are dumped into the pit, and to a third position in which said flat surface is horizontal and at an elevation above that of the first position; a stationary table generally vertically above said fiat surface when said platform is in said first position; pin spotting means carried by said table to deposit a complete set of freely standing bowling pins on said fiat surface when said platform is in said third position; and means for moving said platform to each of said positions, said means maintaining said flat surface substantially horizontal during movement of said platform from said third position to said first position to prevent toppling of said standing bowling pins.
11. In a bowling pin spotting machine, the combination of a platform having a flat surface; said platform being normally disposed in a first position, in which said flat surface is horizontal and forms a continuation of a playing surface of a bowling alley, said platform being movable to a second position, in which said flat surface is horizontal and at an elevation above that of the first position, and to a third position in which said flat surface is sufficiently inclined toward a pit so that any pins on said fiat surface are dumped into the pit; a stationary table, said table being vertically above said flat surface when said platform is in said third position; bowling pin respotting means carried by said table to grip standing respot pins on said platform when said platform is in said second position, said respot means being effective to hold said respot pins while said table moves from said second position to said third position and back to said second position, and to respot said respot pins on said surface when said platform is again in said second position; said platform being maintained with its surface substantially horizontal during movement from said first position to said second position and from said second position to said first position to prevent toppling of respot pins on said fiat surface.
12. In a bowling pin spotting and respotting machine operable to perform a spotting cycle and a respotting cycle, the combination of a table fixed above the plane of the playing surface of a bowling alley, a plurality of bowling pin spotting devices carried by said table, a plurality of bowling pin respotting devices carried by said table; a platform below said table, said platform having a flat projection-free, upwardly-facing surface in general alignment with said table, said platform being normally disposed in a first position, in which said flat surface is horizontal and forms a continuation of the playing surface of a bowling alley, and driving means for moving said platform; so that, during a spotting cycle, said driving means moves said platform to a spotting position in which said flat surface is horizontal and said platform is elevated above its first position and is aligned with said plurality of spotting devices, said spotting devices being then effective to deposit a complete set of freely standing bowling pins on said flat surface whereupon said driving means moves said platform to its first position while maintaining said flat surface horizontal to prevent toppling of the freely standing bowling pins thereon, and, during a respotting cycle, said driving means moves said platform while maintaining said surface horizontal from said first position to: a respotting position in which said platform is elevated above its first position and is aligned with said plurality of respotting devices, said respotting devices then being efiective to grip and hold standing re spot pins on said platform whereupon said driving means moves said platform to a position, different from said respotting position, where fallen pins are removed from said flat surface, then back to said respotting position where said respotting devices deposit the respot pins on said fiat surface and said driving means is then effective to move said platform to its first position while maintaining said surface horizontal to prevent toppling of said respot pins.
References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,994,411 Thomas Mar. 12, 1935 2,641,471 Timberlake June 9, 1953 2,781,195 Holloway et al Feb. 12, 1957 2,791,426 lanes May 7, 1957

Claims (1)

1. IN A BOWLING PIN SPOTTING MACHINE, THE COMBINATION OF A GENERALLY HORIZONTAL STATIONARY TABLE FIXEDLY MOUNTED OUT OF THE LINE OF PLAY, SPOTTING MEANS SUPPORTED BY SAID TABLE, RESPOTTING MEANS SUPPORTED BY SAID TABLE, A GENERALLY VERTICALLY MOVABLE PLATFORM DISPOSED BENEATH SAID TABLE AND ADAPTED TO SUPPORT A COMPLETE SET OF FREELY STANDING BOWLING PINS IN PLAYING POSITIONS, AND MEANS FOR MOVING SAID PLATFORM VERTICALLY IN HORIZONTAL ASPECT RELATIVE TO SAID TABLE SEQUENTIALLY THROUGH A PLURALITY OF PREDETERMINED POSITIONS TO PERFORM A SPOTTING CYCLE AND A RESPOTTING CYCLE.
US145608A 1961-10-17 1961-10-17 Bowling pin spotting machine having movable pin deck and stationary spotting, respotting table Expired - Lifetime US3132863A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US145608A US3132863A (en) 1961-10-17 1961-10-17 Bowling pin spotting machine having movable pin deck and stationary spotting, respotting table

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US145608A US3132863A (en) 1961-10-17 1961-10-17 Bowling pin spotting machine having movable pin deck and stationary spotting, respotting table

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3132863A true US3132863A (en) 1964-05-12

Family

ID=22513832

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US145608A Expired - Lifetime US3132863A (en) 1961-10-17 1961-10-17 Bowling pin spotting machine having movable pin deck and stationary spotting, respotting table

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US3132863A (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4045024A (en) * 1976-06-21 1977-08-30 Marvin Glass & Associates Bowling alley game
WO2016022986A3 (en) * 2014-08-07 2016-03-31 Lyter Tod S Bowling pin setting systems and methods with reconfigurable pin setting array

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1994411A (en) * 1934-08-14 1935-03-12 Thomas Michael Automatic pin resetting mechanism for bowling alleys
US2641471A (en) * 1947-01-08 1953-06-09 Journey F Timberlake Bowling pin setting machine
US2781195A (en) * 1950-08-18 1957-02-12 American Mach & Foundry Bowling pin spotting and respotting mechanism
US2791426A (en) * 1956-02-02 1957-05-07 Janes Joseph Pin-setting machine

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1994411A (en) * 1934-08-14 1935-03-12 Thomas Michael Automatic pin resetting mechanism for bowling alleys
US2641471A (en) * 1947-01-08 1953-06-09 Journey F Timberlake Bowling pin setting machine
US2781195A (en) * 1950-08-18 1957-02-12 American Mach & Foundry Bowling pin spotting and respotting mechanism
US2791426A (en) * 1956-02-02 1957-05-07 Janes Joseph Pin-setting machine

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4045024A (en) * 1976-06-21 1977-08-30 Marvin Glass & Associates Bowling alley game
WO2016022986A3 (en) * 2014-08-07 2016-03-31 Lyter Tod S Bowling pin setting systems and methods with reconfigurable pin setting array
US9687726B2 (en) 2014-08-07 2017-06-27 Tod S. Lyter Bowling pin setting systems and methods with reconfigurable pinsetting array

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US2388708A (en) Pin setting mechanism for bowling alleys
US2319925A (en) Automatic bowling alley mechanism
US2389643A (en) Ball and pin handling mechanism for bowling pin setting machines
US2015428A (en) Automatic pin-setter
US2518457A (en) Pin setting machine
US2809037A (en) Bowling ball delivery mechanism
US2628098A (en) Automatic pin-setting machine
US2621961A (en) Pin setting apparatus for bowling machines
US2729449A (en) Pin setting apparatus for bowling alleys
US1712186A (en) Automatic bowling alley
US2591265A (en) Bowling alley sweeper mechanism
US2019607A (en) Automatic ball return for bowling alleys
US1584030A (en) Pin-setting mechanism for bowling alleys
US3132863A (en) Bowling pin spotting machine having movable pin deck and stationary spotting, respotting table
US5039095A (en) Ten pin bowling apparatus
US1190644A (en) Automatic pin-setting machine.
US2620187A (en) Elevating mechanism for bowling alley pits
US7591732B2 (en) Hydraulic drive pin setter for bowling alley with hydraulic linkage ball lift
US2621045A (en) Pin changer for bowling pin setters
US2248316A (en) Bowling game
US1542804A (en) Bowling-alley system
US2735681A (en) sherman
US2705145A (en) Bowling pin respotting mechanism
US3248108A (en) Pivoting distributor conveyor adapted to deliver pins selectively from the sides and free end thereof
US1625980A (en) Game apparatus