US3171655A - Bowling game having angularly retractable simulated pins - Google Patents

Description

March 2, 1965 M. l. GLASS ETAL 3,171,655

BOWLING GAME HAVING ANGULARLY RETRACTABLE SIMULATED PINS Filed Jan. 4, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 2, 1965 M. l- GLASS ETAL 3,171,655

BOWLING GAME HAVING ANGULARLY RETRACTABLE SIMULATED PINS Filed Jan. 4, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 #5 n9 "4/ 6/ 4? 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 M. I. GLASS ETAL MA/PV/N A 64/45.;

GZ/AMADS 4/0775 M aw 9m BOWLING GAME HAVING ANGULARLY RETRACTABLE SIMULATED PINS 4, 1962 March 2, 1965 Filed Jan.

United States Patent 3,171,555 BOWLING GAME HAVING ANGULARLY RETRACTABLE SIMULATED PINS;

Marvin I. Glass, Chicago, and Gunars Licitis, Lombard, 11]., assignors to Marvin Glass & Associates, (Ihicago, IlL, a partnership Filed Jan. 4, 1962, Ser. No. 164,258 2 Claims. (Cl. 273-41) The invention relates generally to toy bowling games and more particularly, to toy bowling games which are coin controlled and/or which incorporate realistic bowling pin action.

Various toy bowling games of the past have been coin controlled to regulate the number of balls available for rolling down an alley toward a set of bowling pins. However, during bowling, the number of balls rolled toward the pins will vary from game to game. For instance, in a perfect game in which a score of 300 is achieved, the ball is rolled at the pins only 12 times. On the other hand, it is possible to roll as few as 11 or as many as 21 balls down the alley toward the pins in a single game. Moreover, the number of balls rolled will vary from frame to frame.

However, there is much less variation in the number of times the bowling pins must be reset for a complete bowling game. As is well known, the bowling pins must generally be reset for each of the ten frames and, if the play in the tenth frame is a spare or strike, the player may be entitled to one or two additional settings of the bowling pins. Accordingly, the normal minimum number of times the pins are reset is and the maximum number is 12. It is therefore more practical to control the number of pin resettings in a toy bowling game than to control the number of balls available for use by the player.

A further main object of the invention is to provide a toy bowling game including an arrangement by which the pins are realistically displaceable in the direction in which struck. Still another main object of the invention is the provision of a toy bowling game incorporating a relatively simple, mechanical arrangement for resetting such pins as have been struck and displaced from their normal upright positions. A further main object of the invention is the provision of a coin controlled bowling game incorporating realistic pin movement in response to striking of the bowling pins, together with a relatively simple, manually operable means for simultaneously resetting all of the displaced pins to their normal upright standing positions. Another object of the invention is to provide means for propelling the ball of the bowling game always at the same speed. Still an other object of the invention is to provide a ball projecting mechanism for projecting the ball at a predetermined velocity by manipulation of a single control element.

In general, the principal object of the invention is the provision of an improved toy bowling game.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings of one embodiment of the invention in which:

FIGURE 1 is a partially broken away view of a toy bowling game incorporating various of the features of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged and partially broken away prospective view of various of the internal components of the toy shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged, sectional fragmentary view taken transversely of the game shown in FIGURE 1; FIGURE 4 is an enlarged view, partially in section,

of the arrangement for supporting the bowling pins and of a portion of the arrangement for resetting the bowling pins;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 4, showing one of the bowling pins in a retracted position;

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURES 4 and 5 iliustrating the disposition of one of the pins at the end of the resetting operation;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view of a portion of the member which engages and etfects resetting of the bowling pins;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary perspective View of the mechanism for propelling a ball down the alley toward the bowling pins in the game shown in FIGURE 1, with the ball propelling mechanism shown in its armed position;

FIGURE 9 is a view of the ball propelling mechanism of FIGURE 8, shown in its triggered condition;

FIGURE 10 is a vertical view of the ball propelling mechanism of FIGURES 8 and 9;

FIGURE 11 is a view, partially in section and partially schematic, showing the frame counting and lamp operating mechanism of the apparatus of FIGURES 1, 2 and 3;

FIGURE 12 is a side view, partially in section, of part of the frame counting mechanism shown in FIG- URE 11; and

FIGURE 13 is a view, partially in section, of the lamp structure of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1.

The bowling game shown in the drawings comprises a support means or housing 21 (FIGURE 1), a portion of which defines an alley 23, and a series of simulated bowling pins 25 which are carried by the housing 21 for pivotal movement relative thereto from generally upright standing positions on the alley 23 to pivotally elevated, retracted positions. Also included in the disclosed bowling game are means 27 carried by the housing 21 for projecting a ball 2h up the alley 23 toward the pins 25 so as to strike and consequently displace one or more of the pins 25 to pivotally elevated, retracted positions, and manually operable, coin controlled means or mechanism 31 for resetting the pins 25 in their standing positions on the alley 23.

Considering the construction in greater detail, the housing 21 can be fabricated of plastic or other suitable material to provide the alley 23 which generally resembles the appearance of a commercial bowling alley. The alley 23 is slightly upwardly inclined in the rearward direction, i.e., in the direction toward the pins 25, and is bordered, on each side, by gutters 33 which are connected at a point at the rearward end of the alley 23 and which slope downwardly toward the forward end of the alloy to provide for gravity return of the ball 2?.

At its rearward end, the housing 2.1 includes a covered portion 34 in which the coin con-trolled pin resetting mechanism 31 is housed.

At the forward end of the alley 23, the housing 21 includes an inner generally upright wall 35 which is arouately .or otherwise shaped to provide a normal resting place for the ball 29 in position to be struck by the ball projecting mechanism 27.

The :ball projecting mechanism 27, as seen best in FIGURES 8, 9 and 10, includes a plunger 37 firmly connected to a plunger rod 370. slidably mounted in a pair of upstanding legs 38, 38a projecting from a bracket 39. Plunger 37 is mounted in aperture 36 of leg 38 and plunger rod 37a is mounted in aperture 36a of leg 38a. At its rearward end the bracket 39 is supported by a portion 21a of the housing 21 and is pivotally connected thereto by pin 40 for horizontal swinging movement about a vertical axis as to permit angular variation in the direction in which the ball 29 is directed toward the .42 is .horizontally elongated v to accommodate pivotal movement of the ball projecting mechanism 27. At its forward end the sleeve 41 terminates in a knob 44.

Sleeve 41 is slidably mounted on plunger rod 37a for axial movement therealong. ,I-Ielical spring 45 .is disposed about plunger rod 37a between leg 38aand bearing plate 37b which is disposedbetween plunger 37 and plunger rod 37a. The spring 45 is retained in place by retaining member 3812 which is attached to leg 38a. When the plunger 37 is released, the helical spring 45 pushes the plunger 37 rearward to strike the ball. 29.

Travel of -the plunger 37 is limited by bearing plate 37b, being stopped when the latter strikes the leg 35. When the plunger is retracted, its motion is stopped when spring 45 is fully compressed. To retract the plunger, the player pulls knob 44 forward. Projections 41a on sleeve 41 engage a shoulder 46 onplunger rod 370:, (FIGURE so that forward movement of knob 44 retracts plunger 37 against the force of spring 45. Attached to plunger rod 37a within the sleeve 41 is a detent 47 having a forward bearing surface 47a. As the plunger mesa; is reerected the beveled nature of bearing surface 47a causes the detent 47 to ride up and over a stop 43. However, as the knob 44 is moved rearwar'dly, detent 4'7 catches in a notch 48a. Detent 47 is urged downwardly into notch 48a by a spring 49 which is fastened' to the plunger rod 37a between the plunger rod and the sleeve 41. The plunger rod 37a is thereby latched to stop 43. As the knob 44 is moved further in a rearward direction the sleeve 41 slides freely over .the plunger rod 37a and plunger 37 remains in its armed position with the spring 45 compressed until a cam surface 56 of sleeve 41 engages the bearing -surface 47a, whereupon detent 47 is cammed upwardly and out of notch 48a, thereupon'releasing plunger rod 37a; 7 Spring 45 is thereupon free to'move plunger 37 rearwardly to strike the ball 23;

. The ball propelling mechanismof this invention has a number of advantages. It permits the use of a single control knob to orient the ball propelling mechanism, to arm the ball propelling mechanisrrh'and'to release the ball propelilng mechanism,. each with a separate positive motion of the control knob. Prior mechanisms operated by release of a knobwhereas in the described invention the knob must be,.positively pushed forward to release the plunger rod. .Where theknob 'is merely released to operate the plunger, all control is lost and, in particular, the orientation of the ballpropelling device is no longer controlled. In thedescribed apparatus, the operator maintains the alignmentof theball propelling mechanism byfirmly grasping the knob 44. and moving the :knob only in the direction in .which: it is desired to 'propel the ball. A further advantage of the .described apparatus is that it releases the plunger each time withthe same force, inasmuch asv the detent 47 latches in notch 43a at the same place, thus lproviding the same compression-of the spring 45 each time. When the-'detent 47 is latched in notch 48a thereis lost motion between the sleeve 41 and the plungerrod 37a, for prefect-ions 41a Ito-longer engage shoulder. 46. This lost motion is sufiicient that when cam surface 50 releases the detent 47, the plunger 37 may move its entire stroke until-bearing plate 37 strikes leg 38. At this point the shoulder 46 hasinot yet reached projections. 41a. Thus the same compression of the spring releasesthe same energy to the plunger each time, so that the ball is-propelled each time with the proper force. This makes it possible for even very young childrento operate the device, since it avoids having to gauge direction and. force at the same time. It also makes it certain that the ball always moves at the same, proper speed.

The bowling pins 25, in the disclosed construction, each include a main part 52 generally having the appearance of a commercial bowling pin, are ten in number, and are arranged in the usual triangular formation. Of course, a single pin can be employed and other shapes and formations can be utilized.

More particularly, each of the disclosed bowling pins 25 includes, in generally upwardly projecting relation to the main part 52 thereof, a red or element 51 by means of which the bowling ,pins are supported. Each r'odSl inveludes, adjacent to but spaced from its upper end, as seen best in FIGURES 4,5 and 6, an enlarged portion 53 which, in the disclosed construction, is of spherical formation, and has a downwardly convex bearing surface 55. Projecting above each of the enlarged portions 53 is an extension 57. l

Each bowling pin 25 is supported for pivotal movement relative to an upright standing position on the alley 23 by means which, in thedisclosed construction, takes the form of a supporting plate or sheet metal stamping 5% suitably mounted in generally overlying relation to the rearward end of the alley 23 by brackets 61 extending from the covered portion 34 of the housing 21. The supporting plate 59 includes, in the usual triangular formation, a series of seats or pockets 63 (see FIGURES 4, 5 and 6), each of which supports the enlarged portion 53 of one of the bowling pins 25. h V

, Eachseat63 is generally of hemispherical form,'having a radiuscorresponding to the radius of the associated enlarged bearing portion 53 of the bowling 'pin element 51. Each of'the seats63 is cut away, as indicated at 64 in FIGURES 4, Sand 6, to permit rearward pivotal movement of the associated bowling pins 25 through a vertical arc. More particularly, the cutaway portion of eachseat 63 is defined by a vertical'plane extending trans vensely of the length of the alley forward of the center of the radius of curvature of seat 63 by theradius of rod 51, and by a horizontal plane extending generally through the center of the radius of curvature. As a'result, when any one of the bowling pins '25 is struck, either by the ball 29 or by another one of the pins 25, the struck pin is free to pivot through a vertical arc of about 55 degrees to various pivotally elevated, retracted positions. The vertical motion is limited by the backof the housing 21 The vertical arc can occuranywhere within a'r'earwardly disposed horizontal are which may extend about degrees to'ei'ther side of the longitudinal direction of the alley 23. Accordingly, a very realistic pin action is ain l The bowling pins 25 are each maintained in normal standing position on the alley 23 and, 'when displaced from'normal standing positions as'a result of being struck, are each urged toward pivotally elevated, retracted positions, by means which, in the disclosed construction, takes 'the form of a series of fiat leaf springs 67 engaging the upper end of each of the extensions 57. More particularly, for ease in assembling'the disclosed game, it is preferred to form or stamp each of the leaf springs 67 as a part of a single piece or plate69 of spring material. As shown in FIGURES 2, 4, 5 and '6, each leaf spring 673s bent out'of the plane of the spring plate 69. Adjacent its free end, each of the leaf springs 67 includes a groove 71 for receiving the projecting extension 57 of the associated bowling pin element 51,'thereb y tensioning the leaf spring 69 and maintaining the associated bowling pin 25 in a generally vertical standing position, as seen best in FIGURES 4, v5 and 6. However, when any one of the pins 25 is struck, the resultingpivotal action disengages. the associated extension 57 from the engaged groove 71,. as shown in FIGURE 5. This action results in an addidltional tensioning of the associated leaf spring 67, and consequently serves to effect pivotal elevation of the: struck pin toa retracted position. (See FIGURE 5.) The springs 67 are essentially fiat springs. They. push downwardly on respective extensions 57. Thus, whichever direction the extensions are initially moved, springs 67 move them further in the same direction. Since the bowling pins rotate with the respective extensions, when any pin 25 is moved by the bowling ball 29 or another pin 25, the action of a respective spring 67 urges the pin in the same direction it was moved and moves it up and out of the way. The springs 67 are disposed relative to the respective extensions 57 so that the force of a spring against a respective extension is in the direction of the center of rotation of the respective ball and socket joint when the respective pin is in its standing position. In such a case, the spring produces no torque, since the moment arm is zero. On the other hand, once the pin is displaced, a moment arm is created and the spring acts to elevate the respective pin. Since the springs are fiat, they have no preferential direction and the pins are moved realistically in the direction they are first moved. The length of rods 51 is such that in rotation about enlargements 53, the pins may strike other pins, causing them to fall.

After one or more of the pins 25 has been struck and is, accordingly, pivotally elevated to a retracted position, the pin or pins are returnable to their normal standing position on the alley 23 by means including a forwardly and rearwardly shiftable member or slide 75. More particularly, the shiftable member 75, as shown in FIGURE 2, is supported in underlying engaging relation to the supporting plate 59 by, and is guided for movement by, pivotal connection by pin 76 at its forward end to a middle portion of an actuating arm '77, and slidably connected at its rearward end by a pair of transversely spaced connectors 79 (only one shown) which are forwardly and rearwardly shiftable in cooperating slots 81 formed in the member 75. In order to rigidity the shiftable member 75 and to limit the engaged bearing surface between the shiftable member 75 and the supporting plate 59, there are provided about the periphery of the shiftable member 75 a series of ribs 83 which have an arcuate transverse cross section and which engage the under surface of the supporting plate 59.

The operation of the pin-setting mechanism is understood best by reference to FIGURES S and 6. In FIG- URE 5, the pin 25 is shown in its retracted position.

The pins 25 are returned to their normal standing positions on the alley 23 during forward movement of the shiftable member '75. In this regard, the shiftable member 75 incorporates ten openings or camming slots 85 through which the elements 51 project. The camrning slots 85, as seen best in FIGURE 7, are generally of V-shaped form having a pair of converging sides 86 and a rearwardly located vertex 37. When the shiftable member 75 is in its rearwardmost position, the V-shape of the camming slots 85 permits unhindered pivotal movement of the associated pins 25 to pivotally elevated, retracted positions. When the shiftable member 75 is moved forwardly, the converging sides 86 of the V-shaped camming slots 85' engage and guide the associated element 51 toward the vertex 87. When the member reaches its forwardmost position, the vertex 87 serves to locate the element 51 in a generally vertical position, the element 51 being brought upright against the edge of seat 63 thereby positioning the bowling pin in standing position on the alley 23.

As also seen in FIGURES 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7, there is provided about each of the camming slots 85 a recess or depressed portion 91 which has a maximum depth adjacent the vertex S7 and which gradually lessens in depth toward the forward end of the camming slots 85. The provision of the recesses 91 prevents interfering engagement of the converging sides 86 or of the vertex 87 with the seats 63 in the stpportin plate 59.

The shiftable member 75 is moved forwardly and rearwardly, and the extent of such movement is determined by a manually movable linkage 93 (FIGURES 2 and 11) which forms a part of the mechanism 31 and includes the before-mentioned actuating arm 77 and an operating lever 95 which is pivotally connected at its rearward end to a 6 bracket 97 mounted on the housing 21. At its forward end, the operating lever extends exteriorly of the housing 21 through a slot 98 (FIGURE 1) and has at its outer end, an operating knob or button 99.

More specifically, one end of the actuating arm 77 is pivotally mounted on the underside of the supporting plate 59 by suitable means such as the pin 101 (FIGURE 2). Adjacent to its other end, the actuating arm 77 passes through a slot 103 in a downwardly extending flange 105 projecting from the supporting plate 59. The length of the slot 103 serves to establish the are through which the actuating arm 77 is pivotable and, consequently, to determine the rearwardmost and forwardmost positions of the shiftable member 75.

At its free end, the actuating arm 77 includes a portion 107 of circular cross section which is journalled in the adjacent end of a link 109 which passes through a slot 111 in the supporting plate 59. At its other end, the link 109 is pivotally connected to one end of a lever 113 and to one end of a connecting rod 115. More specifically, the lever 113 is pivotally supported, at its other end, on a bracket 117 secured to the supporting plate 59, while the connecting rod is pivotally joined, at its other end, to the operating lever 95 at a point intermediate its ends.

Consequently, when the operating knob 99 is depressed, the operating lever 95 is pivoted in the clockwise direction, as seen in FIGURE 2, causing the connecting rod 115 to move downwardly, and thereby also causing the link 109 to move forwardly and rotate in the counterclockwise direction, as also seen in FIGURE 2. This movement of the link 109 shifts the actuator arm 77 forward in the counterclockwise direction, as seen in FIG- URE 2, and moves the shifta-ble member 75 to its forwardmost position so as to reset the pins 25. As will be seen hereinafter, the linkage 93 is spring biased to retain the operating knob 99 in its normal, elevated position, and to return the shiftable member 75 to its normal, rearwardmost position, when the knob 99 is released.

Manual operation of the operating knob 99 is regulated by a coin controlled device or mechanism 119 (FIGURES 2, 11 and 12) forming a part of the mechanism 31. In the disclosed construction, the coin controlled device 119 functions to permit twelve pin resetting operations for each deposit of a coin, thereby providing for ten frames of play, plus the two additional frames needed in the event that a strike is made in the tenth frame of play.

More specifically, the coin controlled device 119 includes a ratchet wheel 121 which is indexed each time the operating knob 99 is depressed so as to store energy in an associated spring 123. The coin controlled device 119 also includes lever means (FIGURE 2) which normally engages the ratchet wheel 121 to prevent the release of energy from the spring 123 and accompanying resetting of the ratchet wheel 121 for another twelve frames of play. In addition, the lever means 125 functions, incident to the insertion of a coin, to release the ratchet Wheel 121 for rotation under the influence of the spring 123 so as to thereby permit the pins 25 to be reset twelve times.

More specifically, the ratchet wheel 121 is mounted on a shaft 126 for rotation in bearings in a pair of spaced brackets 127 projecting upwardly from the supporting plate 59. Formed on the ratchet Wheel 121 and on one of the brackets 127 are cooperating means for preventing the rotational travel of the ratchet wheel 121, in either direction, past given points. In the disclosed construction, this means takes the form of a dog 129 on the ratchet wheel 121 and projections or stop lugs 131, 132 extending from one of the brackets 127 into the path of travel of the dog 129.

The energy storing spring 123 is a coil spring which surrounds the shaft 126 carrying the ratchet wheel 121 and has one end hooker around one of the edges of one of the brackets 127 and has its other end anchored to the ratchetwheel 121 so as to bias the ratchet wheel .121 for rotation in the clockwise direction, as seen in FIG- URE 2 (the counter-clockwise direction as seen in FIG- URE 12), toward the given point determined by engagernent of the dog 129 with the lug 132. c v

The ratchet wheel121includes thirteen teeth and is indexed against the action of the spring 123 so as to store energy in the spring 123, incident to each depression of the operating knob 99, by an actuator link 135 (FIG- URES 3, 11 and 12). The link 135 is located on the underside of the supporting plate 59 andis connected, at its forward end, to the circular portion 107 of the'actuatin'g arm 77. At its rearward end, the actuator link 135i cludes a tang 137 which is adapted to successively engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel 1 21 toindex the ratchet wheel 121 as an incident to each forward pivotal movement of the actuator arm 77. The actuator link 135 is retained in position to engage the tang 137 with the ratchet wheel 121, and to effect biasing of the linkage 93 so as to locate the operatingknob 99 in its elevated position and so as to locate the shiftable member 75 in its r'earwar dmo st position, by a spring 139 connected between the rearward end of the actuator link 135 and a rearwardly located eye 141 of the supporting plate 59. I

Release of the energy thus stored in the spring 123 is prevented by a member 143 which constitutes a part of the lever means 125 and which is mounted on the supporting plate 59 for pivotal movement relative to a position-of engagement with the ratchet wheel 121. More specifically, the rnember 143 is guided for movement about a pin 145 by which the means 125 is attachedto a'bracket147 on the supporting plate 59 When engaged with the ratchet wheel 121, member 143 prevents'clockwise rotation of the ratchet wheel 121 (as viewed in FIGUREZ) under theinfluence of the spring 123. The member 143is normally engaged with the ratchet wheel 121 by a spring 149 which extends rearwardly from a connection with the means 125 to a rearwardly located hook 151) "onthe supporting plate 59. v

The in'ember143 is shifted forwardly, againstthe action of thespring 149, to free the ratchet wheel 121;f0r clockwiserotation (as viewed'in FIGURE 2) under the action of the spring 123,'by the insertion Ora coin into a"slt 151 (FIGURE 1) formed in the housing 2l. In this regard, a coin sensing lever arm 153,"which is part of lever means 125, extends at its end remote fronrmember 143into the path of travel of a coin inserted through the slot 151. Thus, when a coin is inserted in the slot 151, the coin sensing lever 153 is pivotedclockwise, as seen in FIGURES 2'and 3,there by disengaging the member 14310 freethe ratchetwheel 121. As already Linentidriedfsilch disengagement permits rotation of the ratchet wheel '121 under'the infiuenceof the spring 123 it'othe li'miting'po'sition established by engagement of thepin 12? with the lug 131. Located beneath the slot 151m the holising'llis 'a drawer159 (FIGURE 3) which forms a receptacle for receiving the inserted coinsahd which can be with'draw'n in order to gainjacccss to thecoins.

As indicating wheel 161 is also attached to shaft 126 so as to move with ratchetwheel 121. Numbers on indicating wheel 161 are visible through aperture "163 in housing '21 so astoindi'cate to'the player the particular fr'a'rhe being played. c

The 'apparatus also includes a lighting arrangement 'operated the rotation of the ratchet wheel 121 so as to illumijnate the pin area when thefgame is begun a'nd'to turn off thelighting when the game is' over. As shown in FIGUREJl Ii, the lightingsystern includes a lamp 165 mounted uhder the f ontier bf the covered housing part 34. The lamp is energized by a battery 169 also disposed under the covered housing part 34. A lead 171 connects the battery to the lamp. The circuit is completed over a lead 173 connected between the lamp and the supporting plate'59, and a lead 175 connected between the battery 15h and a switch 177 which is interposed between lead and the supporting plate 5%. The switch 177 includes a spring contact 179 which is mounted on an insulating plate 181which in turn is fastened to the supporting plate 519. The spring contact 179 is normally held out of contact with the supporting plate 59 by means of its shape and resiliency. It is movable into contact with the plate 59 by action of a blade 1&3 which has a ground out beveled part 185. The blade 183 is pivotally mounted to the plate 59 by a pin 137 and is moved back and forth by pins 191 on the ratchet wheel 121. These pins engage the free end of blade 183 when the ratchet wheel 121 is rotated. Pins 189 and 191 are so disposed that the pin 1S9 moves blade 183 rearward when the ratchet wheel 121 is moved into position to start the game and the pin 191 moves the blade 1183 forward when the ratchet wheel 121 has moved through its complete cycle and the game is over. As can be seen in FIGURE 12, when the beveled surface 185 of the blade 133 is moved rearward, the beveled surface forces the spring contact 179 downward into contact with the supporting plate 59 thus closing the switch 177 anden'ergizing the lamp 165. ii hen the beveled part 185 'is moved forward, the spring contact iii/is released and springs away from the supporting blade59, thereby breaking the circuit to the lamp 165 and turningthe 'lamp'off.

In operation, when a coin is inserted in the slot 151, the coin sensing lever 153i's pivoted clockwise, as seen in FIGURES 2 and 3, thereby displacing the member 143 forwardly so as to disengage it from the ratchet wheel 121. Consequently, the ratchet Wheel 1121 rotates in the clockwise direction, as seen in FIGURE 3 under the influence of the energy previously stored in the spring 123, until the pin 129 engages the lug 132. At the same time, pin 189 moves blade 183 to close switch 1'77, thereby turningon lamp 165 and illuminating the playing area.

The operating knob 99 can now be depressed twelve times, each depression serving to move the ratchet wheel 121 by an increment of one notch and'to store energy in the spring 123, and to effect resetting of the bowling pins 25 by displacing the shiftable member 75 forwardly. As already'explained, the pin setting linkage 93 is biased bytlie spring 13to locate the shiftable member 75, when released, in its rearwardmost position, to locate the operating knob 9% in its elevated position, and to reposition the indexing tang 137 in engagement with the next toothon the ratchet wheel 121. At the end of the game, dog 129 strikes stop lug 131, preventing further moveme'nhandpi'n 11 opens switch 177 "to turn off lamp 155.

When the bowling pins 25 are in their upstanding positions onthe alley 23, the projecting mechanism 27 can be used to propel the ball toward the pins. Striking of one or more of the pins 25 by the ball 29, or striking of one or more of the pins by other pins, causes the struck pins to swing to pivotally elevated, retracted positions in simulation of a real bowling game.

The disclosed game thus very realistically simulates the action of real bowling and requires the insertion of a coin to actuate the interior mechanism so as to provide for twelve pin resetting operations.

Various of the features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A toy bowling game comprising a plurality of simulated bowling pins, a rigid supporting element-projecting upwardly'from each pin, a relatively fixed support disposed above said bowling pins comprising a metal plate having portions struck therefrom to provide a plurality of generally hemispherical depressions including rearwardly facing openings, a ball secured to each of said rigid supporting elements adjacent the upper end thereof and seated in one of said hemispherical depressions to thereby provide a ball and socket joint permitting pivotal upward swinging o fsaid pin through a vertical arc, a projection fixed toand extending upwardly from each of said balls and pivotable with the respective one of said pins, flat spring means on said support and biased downwardly in positions to slidably engage said projections, said flat spring means including a plurality of spring elements each having a downwardly facing detent disposed to bear against one of said projections on said balls in a direction substantially axially of said rigid pin supporting element when the respective pin is in its upstanding position, whereby substantially no torque is applied by said spring means to said bowling pin when said bowling pin is in its upstanding position, said projection being of sutficient length and said downwardly facing detent being constructed so that said projection passes out of engagement with said detent and substantial torque is applied to said projection by said spring element so as to rotate and elevate said bowling pin when said bowling pin is moved away from its upstanding position, irrespective of the direction in which said bowling pin is moved from its upstanding position.

2. A toy bowling game comprising a plurality of simulated bowling pins, a rigid supporting element projecting upwardly from each pin, a relatively fixed support disposed above said bowling pins comprising a metal plate having portions struck therefrom to provide a plurality of generally hemispherical depressions including rearwardly facing openings, a ball secured to each of said rigid sup porting elements adjacent the upper end thereof and seated in one of said hemispherical depressions to thereby provide a ball and socket joint permitting pivotal upward swinging of said pin through a vertical are, a projection fixed to and extending upwardly from each of said balls and pivotable with the respective one of said pins, fiat spring means on said support and biased downwardly in positions to slidably engage said projections, said flat spring means including a plurality of spring elements each having a downwardly facing detent disposed to bear against one of said projections on said balls in a direction substantially axially of said rigid pin supporting element when the respective pin is in its upstanding position, whereby substantially no torque is applied by said spring means to said bowling pin when said bowling pin is in its upstanding position, said projection being of sulficient length and said downwardly facing detent being constructed so that said projection passes out of engagement with said detent and substantial torque is applied to said projection by said spring element so as to rotate and ele vate said bowling pin when said bowling pin is moved away from its upstanding position, irrespective of the direction in which said bowling pin is moved from its upstanding position, and resetting means slidably connected below said support for substantially horizontal movement relative thereto, said resetting means including a plate member including a plurality of substantially V-shaped slots through each of which one of said rigid supporting elements is disposed, said resetting means being movable in one direction relative to said rigid supporting elements to engage said supporting elements in the respective vertices of said slots and thereafter movable in the same direction to dispose the respective vertices in such relation to respective ones of said joints as to dispose said pins in a standing position on said alley, said resetting means being further movable in a direction opposite to said one direction to disengage said resetting means from said supporting elements so that said rigid supporting elements are free to move in the wider open portion of said V- shaped slots and thereby permit lateral as well as rearward movement of said pins.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,608,447 11/ 26 Wade 273-38 2,181,984 12/39 Warner.

2,207,643 7/40 Strong 273-44 2,231,255 2/ 41 Collins 273-44 2,367,400 1/ 45 lanes 273-44 2,542,625 2/51 Carroll 273-41 2,663,568 12/53 Durant 273-129 2,715,531 8/55 Henry 273-129 2,722,422 11/55 Breitenstein 273-41 X 2,776,137 1/ 57 Cohn 273-41 3,063,715 11/62 Hooker et al. 273-41 DELBERT B. LOWE, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A TOY BOWLING GAME COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF SIMULATED BOWLING PINS, A RIGID SUPPORTING ELEMENT PROJECTING UPWARDLY FROM EACH PIN, A RELATIVELY FIXED SUPPORT DISPOSED ABOVE SAID BOWLING PINS COMPRISING A METAL PLATE HAVING PORTIONS STRUCK THEREFROM TO PROVIDE A PLURALITY OF GENERALLY HEMISPHERICAL DEPRESSIONS INCLUDING REARWARDLY FACING OPENINGS, A BALL SECURED TO EACH OF SAID RIGID SUPPORTING ELEMENTS ADJACENT THE UPPER END THEREOF AND SEATED IN ONE OF SAID HEMISPHERICAL DEPRESSIONS TO THEREBY PROVIDE A BALL AND SOCKET JOINT PERMITTING PIVOTAL UPWARD SWINGING OF SAID PIN THROUGH A VERTICAL ARC, A PROJECTION FIXED TO AND EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM EACH OF SAID BALLS AND PIVOTABLE WITH THE RESPECTIVE ONE OF SAID PINS, FLAT SPRING MEANS ON SAID SUPPORT AND BIASED DOWNWARDLY IN POSITIONS TO SLIDABLY ENGAGE SAID PROJECTIONS, SAID FLAT SPRING MEANS INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF SPRING ELEMENTS EACH HAVING A DOWNWARDLY FACING DETENT DISPOSED TO BEAR AGAINST ONE OF SAID PROJECTIONS ON SAID BALLS IN A DIRECTION SUBSTANTIALLY AXIALLY OF SAID RIGID PIN SUPPORTING ELEMENT WHEN THE RESPECTIVE PIN IS IN ITS UPSTANDING POSITION, WHEREBY SUBSTANTIALLY NO TORQUE IS APPLIED BY SAID SPRING MEANS TO SAID BOWLING PIN WHEN SAID BOWLING PIN IS IN ITS UPSTANDING POSITION, SAID PROJECTION BEING OF SUFFICIENT LENGTH AND SAID DOWNWARDLY FACING DETENT BEING CONSTRUCTED SO THAT SAID PROJECTION PASSES OUT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID DETENT AND SUBSTANTIAL TORQUE IS APPLIED TO SAID PROJECTION BY SAID SPRING ELEMENT SO AS TO ROTATE AND ELEVATE SAID BOWLING PIN WHEN SAID BOWLING PIN IS MOVED AWAY FROM ITS UPSTANDING POSITION, IRRESPECTIVE OF THE DIRECTION IN WHICH SAID BOWLING PIN IS MOVED FROM ITS UPSTANDING POSITION.

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