US3224769A

US3224769A - Hollow bowling pin

Info

Publication number: US3224769A
Application number: US158758A
Authority: US
Inventors: Claude H Nickell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1961-12-12
Filing date: 1961-12-12
Publication date: 1965-12-21
Anticipated expiration: 1982-12-21

Description

United States Patent Office 31,224,769 Patented Dec. 21, 1965 3,224,769 HOLLOW BWLING PIN Claude H. Nickell, 17809 (Bakwood Blvd., Dearborn, Mich. Filed Dec. 12, 1961, Ser. No. 158,758 5 Claims. (Cl. 273-82) This invention relates to avocational and recreational activities of various types, intended both to afford necessary exercise for health and to attract and retain the attention for entertainment, and to the facilities and equipment utilized in the performance of such avocational and recreational activities.

The invention relates particularly to the game of bowling in which pins are set either by hand or by mechanical pin setters, on alleys or elsewhere, to be struck by bowling balls projected down the alleys by players, and in which the pins are subjected to severe punishment on account of being struck by the balls, and by then being gripped by the mechanical pin setters, contact with the alleys and with the side and rear walls adjacent thereto.

Bowling pins have been produced of various kinds and of various materials, including of wood, metal, and combinations thereof as well as of other substances. Bowling pins heretofore produced have been unsatisfactory for numerous reasons including shortness of life due to various causes such as fatigue failure, lack of uniformity and balance, weight variation because of differences in moisture content, and the necessity of repairs to or replacement of the pins.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved bowling pin of attractive appearance, simple and inexpensive construction, of uniform size, shape, weight and balance, which will have maximum life as well as be capable of resurfacing or other repairs at any time.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bowling pin of a hollow shell of metal or other material and which shell can be evacuated o1 charged to prevent changes in characteristics subsequent to manufacture due to variations in moisture content, and which pin includes a surface of plastic and can be statically and dynamically balanced.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bowling pin having a hollow shell of multiple longitudinal shell segments, fastened together in end to end relation by an axial rod, with internal transverse supports in such hollow shell, the end segments of such shell being provided with axial openings by which the shell can be mounted on a machine by which static and dynamic balance can be -determined with means for evacuating or charging the interior of the shell, and said shell being provided with a separate reinforced base of metal or other substance and covered with plastic or other material.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken from the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. l is a bowling pin half of which is in section and the other half in side elevation and illustrating one application of the invention;

FIG. 2, an enlarged fragmentary detail of the bottom end of the pin; and

FIG. 3, a similar view of a modied construction.

Briefly stated, the bowling pin of the present invention is composed of a hollow shell of metal or other material of lower, intermediate, and upper shell segments, for example, of metal castings fastened together by a rod through the axes thereof with such rod having external threads on its ends engaging complementary threads on the lower and upper shells, the upper shell being rotatable relative to the intermediate shell until the proper torque is obtained. The shell assembly is tested by balancing apparatus to obtain proper balance both statically and dynamically; if unbalanced the shell is taken apart and the necessary weights for balancing are added around the center rod after which the parts are reassembled and a surface covering or coating is provided of plastic or other substance. After the surfacing material or outer coating has been applied a cap screw and gasket are fitted at the upper end and a special tool (not shown) is threaded into the base of the shell for the purpose of reducing or increasing the internal pressure of the shell, such tool having means for effecting a tight seal within the end of the shell and for introducing a sealing plug driven into place from a pressure cylinder (not shown); thereafter a weighted base is applied to the shell and fixed in place by a screw.

With continued reference to the drawing, the bowling pin of the present invention has an inner shell of multiple castings of metal or other material, of

die castings

10, 11 and 12. The lower shell or die casting 10l has a bottom 13 which terminates in a tubular axial portion 14 and a tubular axial portion 15 of smaller diameter and with internal threads 16, such axial portion having a tubular axial extension or sleeve 17 with internal threads 18. The die casting 10 is provided at its upper end with a shoulder 19 and a portion 20 of enlarged diameter in which is received a reinforcing ring or support 21 having weight reducing openings 22, a rim 23, and an axial hub 24. The lower half of the rim 23 of the ring or support 21 is received and contained in the portion of enlarged diameter 20 of the casting 10. Upon the upper extremity of the lower casting 10 is located a gasket 25 to provide a seal between the

contiguous ends

20 and 27 respectively of the lower and intermediate sleeve section. The upper sleevehas a tubular axial portion 37 with internal threads 41 of constant size and character.

The intermediate casting 11 likewise is provided at its lower end with a shoulder 26 and an enlarged portion 27 in which the upper half of the rim 23 of the ring 21 is received, thus providing a good connection between the lower and intermediate castings and with such connection reinforced by the supporting ring or casting 21. The construction is such that the shoulders 19 and 26 bear firmly against the lower and upper portions of the rim 23 of the ring 21 with the gasket 25 compressed when the parts are in final` position.

The die castings may be additionally reinforced in any desired manner, for example, the die casting 11 may be provided with a transverse support or web 2S having a central bore 29 and with one or more openings 30 for reduction of weight.

The upper end of the die casting 11 is provided with a shoulder 31 and a cylindrical portion 32 of larger diameter in which is received the lower extremity 33 of the casting 12, such extremity being of reduced external diameter and providing a shoulder 34. The extremity 33 is of a length less than the length of the portion 32 of enlarged diameter of the casing 11 and is freely rotatable therein. A gasket 35 is located between the upper extremity of the die casting 11 and the shoulder 34 of the die casting 12, such gasket being of a character to provide a seal but to offer minimum resistance to rotation.

The

gaskets

25 and 35 prevent the surface layer of molded material applied under pressure from flowing inwardly Vbetween the adjacent edges of the lower and intermediate shell portions.

The upper shell or die casting 12 is provided on its closed end with sockets 36 for the reception of a Spanner or the like wrench (not shown).

The

die castings

10, 11, and 12 when assembled provide -a hollow shell the parts of which are adapted to be fastened together by a central or axial rod 38 having external threads 39 on its lower end and external threads 40 on its upper end, such rod being shorter than the combined length of the three shells, the threads 39 and 4t) on the opposite ends of the rod being adapted to engage complementary threads 18 and 41 of the lower shell and the tubular axial portion 37 of the upper shell.

In assembling the three parts of the casting the rod 38 is screwed into the axial extension or sleeve 17 of the lower die casting and sealed therein by means of a compound 42 against leakage and free rotation. Thereafter the transverse ring or support 2l is placed downwardly over the rod 33 and fitted in the enlarged portion 20 of the upper end of the lower die casting 10, after which the gasket 25 is applied followed by the die casting 11 'which is fitted downwardly over the rod 38 and the rim 23 of the support 21.

The lower and

intermediate castings

10 and 11 having been combined, the gasket 35 is placed over the upper extremity of the die casting 11 and the reduced lower extremity 33 `of the die casting 12 is inserted within the enlarged portion 32 of the intermediate die casting 11 and rotated by hand and then by a spanner wrench tting into the recesses or sockets 36 to cause the

threads

39 and 40 to engage the threads 18 and 41 of the

castings

10 and 12 to secure the parts in tightly assembled relation and at the desired torque or pressure.

Balance may be established by the addition of a weight W, and with additional weights W and W to the rod 38. When balance has been established and the

castings

10, 11 and 12 have been reassembled at the prescribed torque value, the assembly is placed in a mold and has applied to its surface in any desired manner as for eX- ample by injection molding or other process a plastic 43, such as polyethylene, to provide .a relatively hard durable surface. After the molding is completed a closure is applied to the upper end yof the sleeve 37, such closure having an externally threaded shank 44 with a fibrous insert `of nylon or other material 4S to insure self-locking, such closure having an enlarged head 46 beneath which a gasket 47 is compressed against the upper end of the sleeve 37 for sealing the upper end of the assembly.

In order to supply or remove air from the interior of the shell formed by the

die castings

10, 11 and 12 the rod 38 is provided with a transverse opening 49 which communicates with an axial -opening 48 terminating in an enlarged bore 50 in the lower end of the rod 38. A special tool, not shown may be employed, such tool having threads which engage the threads 16 of the lower end of the die casting 10 and compress a sealing gasket in a counterbore around the special tool. Such special tool may have a sealed plunger remotely operated from a power cylinder which plunger carries a plug 51 and drives such plug into the -bore 50 while the vacuum or positive pressure is maintained if the same be desired thus sealing the interior of the shell from the atmosphere.

During the molding -of the plastic or other material 43 onto the exterior of the shell, the pressure applied thereto may tend to collapse the shell assembly. lIn order to counteract such tendency, pressure may be applied of an appropriate amount to the interior of the shell.

After the sealing operation is accomplished the special tool is removed and a base portion 54 is provided having a brass or steel reinforcing frame 55 of the desired conguration such base or frame having openings therethrough in order that the material of `which the base is formed may pass through and be molded as an integral element around such frame. The base 54 readily may be replaced if worn or damaged or if desired for other reasons. The wear on the base sometimes is greater than on -certain other portions of the bowling pin, it being contemplated that replacement may be done if damage or excessive wear occurs in any portion on the bottom of the base or `other parts of the pin. The arrangement of the base is in accordance with prescribed regulations or requirements.

In order to fasten the base 54 in position in the bottom of the pin a screw is provided being an exteriorly threaded shank 56 with a plastic locking plug 57, the screw having an enlarged head 58 which rests against the ilat surface 59 of the base and such head has a wrench receiving socket 6i).

The sleeve structure may have its internal pressure modified, for example, by the introduction of additional pressure or the reverse and to the desired extent. This can be done as illustrated in FIG. 3 by omitting in FIG. 2' the

openings

48 and 49 in the rod 38 and the counter bore Sil inwardly of the end of the rod 38, and by providing an opening 61 in the tubular extension or sleeve 17 of the die casting which provides communication with the reduced bore 62 in the sleeve 17 for receiving the plug 51', otherwise the structure is the same.

It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and therefore the invention is not limited by that which is illustrated in the drawing and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A bowling pin comprising (A) a hollow shell having an opening 50, 61 providing communication with the interior thereof,

(a) said shell being formed of lower 10, intermediate 11, and upper 12, die castings,

(l) the lower 10 and upper 12 die castings having remote integrally threaded portions,

(2) the lower 10 and intermediate 11 die castings having enlarged

adjacent terminal portions

20 and 27,

(3) the intermediate casting 11 having a cylindrical enlargement 32 at its upper end and the upper casting 12 having a reduced Complementary lower portion 33 for iitting snugly within said enlargement 32,

(4) sealing means 35 between the intermediate 11 and upper 12 castings,

(5) gasket means 25 between said

terminal portions

20 and 27,

(B) transverse supporting means 21 and 28 within said hollow shell,

(a) one 21 in the form of a ring with its margin 23 of greater axial dimension and width than said enlarged adjacent end portions 2t) and 27,

(C) a rod 38 having

threads

40 and 39 engaging the threads in the upper and lower castings for fastening said castings together,

(D) closure means 51, 51 for the opening in said shell providing communication with the interior,

(E) a plastic coating 43 providing a relatively hard durable surface for said shell,

(F) a

base

54, 54 for said lower casting,

(a) a reinforcing frame for said base and having openings therein,

(G) and fastening means 58, 58 for securing said base 54 to said lower casting.

2. A bowling pin comprising (A) a hollow shell,

`(a) said shell having lower 10, intermediate 11,

upper segments 12,

(b) the lower 10 and intermediate 11 segments having enlarged

terminal portions

20 and 27 and the lower 10 and upper segments having remote internally threaded axial portions 17 and 37,

(B) transverse supporting means 21 and 28 within said segments,

(a) one 21 in the form of a ring with its margin within the

enlarged portions

20 and 27 and engaged on opposite sides thereby,

(C) a gasket 25 between said lower and intermediate segments,

(D) a rod 38 having threaded ends 39 and 40 engaging the threads in the upper and lower segments and having an opening providing communication with the interior of said shell,

(E) closure means for the opening in said rod,

(F) a plastic coating 43 providing a relatively hard durable surface for said shell, a

base

54 and 54 for said shell, and fastening means 58, 58 for securing said base to the lower end of said shell.

3. A bowling pin comprising a hollow shell including at least upper and lower segments, each segment having a threaded axial portion, said segments having cooperating terminal portions, transverse supporting means overlying said terminal portions and engaging said upper and lower segments, rod means threadedly engaging said axial portions, said rod means being located entirely within said segments, said shell having an opening providing communication between the interior of said shell and the atmosphere, plug means extending into said opening for closing the same and rendering said shell airtight, and a plastic coating providing a relatively hard durable outer surface for said shell.

4. The structure of claim 3 including a removable base for said shell, and fastening means for securing said base to said lower segment.

5. The structure of claim 3 including weights carried by said rod means for balancing said bowling pin.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 828,415 8/1906 Mayhew 273-82 1,053,654 2/1913 Seidel 273-82 1,519,835 12/1924 Hedenskoog 273-82 2,166,950 7/1939 German et al. 273-82 2,515,715 7/1950 Jones 273-63 X 2,775,456 12/1956 Schroeder et al. 273-82 2,797,923 7/1957 Dettman 273-82 3,025,061 3/1962 Ernst et al. 273-82 3,048,400 8/1962 Friedman 273-82 3,073,597 1/1963 Ernst 273-82 3,138,380 6/1964 Satchell et al. 273-82 FOREIGN PATENTS 257,959 12/1926 Great Britain.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

DELBERT B. LOWE, C. B. PRICE, Assistant Examiners.

Claims

3. A BOWLING PIN COMPRISING A HOLLOW SHELL INCLUDING AT LEAST UPPER AND LOWER SEGMENTS, EACH SEGMENT HAVING A THREADED AXIAL PORTION, SAID SEGMENTS HAVING COOPERATING TERMINAL PORTIONS, TRANSVERSE SUPPORTING MEANS OVERLYING SAID TERMINAL PORTIONS AND ENGAGING SAID UPPER AND LOWER SEGMENTS, ROD MEANS THREADEDLY ENGAGING SAID AXIAL PORTIONS, SAID ROD MEANS BEING LOCATED ENTIRELY WITHIN SAID SEGMENTS, SAID SHELL HAVING AN OPENING PROVIDING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE INTERIOR OF SAID SHELL AND THE ATMOSPHERE, PLUG MEANS EXTENDING ITO SAID OPENING FOR CLOSING THE SAME AND RENDERING SAID SHELL AIRTIGHT, AND A PLASTIC COATING PROVIDING A RELATIVELY HARD DURABLE OUTER SURACE FOR SAID SHELL.