US3263255A - Pin cleaner - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 2, 1966 E. S. STEVENS ETAL PIN CLEANER 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 24. 1963 INVENTORS:

& neat m, 4%

2', 1966 E. s. STEVENS ETAL 3, 5

PIN CLEANER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 24, 1963 Aug. 2, 1966 E, s. $TEVEN$ ETAL, 3,283,255

PIN CLEANER 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 24. 1963 Aug. 2, 1966 E. s. STEVENS ETAL 3,263,255

PIN CLEANER Filed Dec. 24, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 2, 1965 E. s. STEVENS ETAL 3,263,255

PIN CLEANER 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 24. 1963 United States Patent 3,263,255 PIN CLEANER Eric 8. Stevens, Jamestown, N.Y., and Ernest E. Emery,

Manhattan Beach, Calif., assignors to Brunswick (Zorporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 24, 1963, Ser. No. 333,115 18 Claims. (Cl. 1521) This invention relates to structures and devices useful in the cleaning of bowling pins. The invention also relates to a traffic system for bowling pins for pin cleaning purposes.

It is the general object of this invention to provide new and useful devices or systems of the character described.

It is a more specific object to provide a new device for washing or scrubbing bowling pins sequentially fed thereto.

It is another object to provide a new and useful conveyance system for conveying bowling pins through a pin cleaning zone.

It is still another object to provide a new and useful pin feeding system for supplying bowling pins to a pin cleaning zone.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a new and useful pin cleaner which may include features of any of the above objects and wherein a pin washing section is included in the pin cleaning zone; it is also an object to provide such a pin cleaner including, in addition to the wash section, a pin rinsing section and/or a pin drying section.

It is also the object of this invention to provide a new and useful flow system for flow of fluids in generally cyclic manner through a cleaning zone of a bowling pin cleaning device.

A further object is to provide new and useful means for supporting pins during their travel through a pin cleaning zone, which suporting means may include scrubbing brushes within the cleaning zone.

It is also the object of this invention to provide a new and useful vehicular pin cleaner which may be operated by an ambulatory operator and includes a carriage with a pin cleaning structure mounted thereon so that the pin cleaner may be moved adjacent bowling lane pits, e.g. between the pits and building structures therebehind, at a bowling establishment for cleaning a full complement of pins from the pit for return to the pit.

Other objects will be apparent from the following description and the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side view of a form of pin cleaning device of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an end view from the left end of the device illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an end view from the right end of the device illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along line 44 of FIGURE 1 showing layout of elements on a supporting carriage;

FIGURE 5 is a partial end view from the right end of FIGURE 1 with parts removed;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged view and partial section of pin receiver structures also showing in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 7 is a view from line 7-7 in FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a section through a shift mechanism in the drive train of the device of FIGURE 1 along line 88;

FIGURE 9 is a view from the top of a portion of a device much like that shown in FIGURE 1, omitting the bowling pin turret ojf FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 10 is a vertical section along line 1tl-10 of FIGURE 9.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail an embodiment of the invention, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated.

In the embodiment illustrated, a pin cleaning system is provided in a portable or vehicular form, e.g. including a carriage on which the various elements of the cleaning mechanism and structure are mounted. The portability of the pin cleaner enables an operator to move the pin cleaner to the site of the pins to be cleaned, e.g. to the bowling lane pits, rather than moving the pins to the pin cleaner. The pins may be removed from the bowling lane pits and loaded directly into the pin cleaning device, cleaned and returned to the pits. Preferably, the carriage is of a narrow configuration so that the pin cleaner may be wheeled between the backs of bowling lane pits and building structure therebehind, a narrow aisle normally being provided for access to the pit end of the alley between the pits and the building structures.

The illustrated pin cleaner is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with bowling lanes which include automatic pin setting structures for gathering pin-s from the bowling lane pit and setting the pins as a set-up on a pin supporting surface, the set-up thereafter being bowled at by the bowler. For this purpose, the pin cleaning device is adapted to receive or be loaded with the normal complement of pins used by the pinsetter, 22 pins, in the illustrated form. The loaded pins are fed sequentially through a pin cleaning zone for cleaning purposes. The pins may be either gathered or received from the pin cleaning zone and manually returned to the bowling lane pit or may be discharged directly back to the bowling lane pit.

It will readily be seen that the ilustrated form of device may be conveniently used at a bowling establishment by moving the device along the bowling lane pits, stopping to clean pins at each pit. The cleaning operation is normally carried out when the bowling establishment is closed or at least when the lanes where the particular pins to be cleaned are not in use so that the full complement of pins used at each lane can be cleaned at one time.

Turning now more particularly to the drawings, and especially to FIGURE 1, in general, the illustrated form of pin cleaner includes a carriage assembly 12 which supports and mobilizes the remainder of the pin cleaning assembly. A cleaning system indicated generally by the reference numeral 13, is mounted on carriage 12 and is adapted to receive pins, clean them, and deliver them at a pin delivery station for return to a bowling lane pit. A pin holding and feeding system, in the form of a turret assembly indicated generally by reference numeral 14, is provided for supplying the cleaning system with pins to be cleaned. Preferably, the pin holding and feeding system supplies the pins sequentially to the cleaning system, which, in turn, cleans the pins sequentially.

The pins are delivered from turret assembly 14 to cleaning system 13 by means of a pin delivery system indicated generally at 15. The cleaning system 13 is supplied with cleaning fluid and rinse fluid by means of a fluid storage and delivery system indicated generally by reference numeral 16. A drive system is provided for driving the various elements of the device for coordinated or integrated action as will be seen from the descriptions hereinbclow.

The carriage assembly 12 includes a base frame 20 upon which is supported a plate or platform 21, secured thereto by bolts or other suitable means. Supporting the frame 20 are a pair of casters 22 at the front of frame 20 and a pair of swivel casters 23 at the rear of frame 20, the casters being of conventional design. Upstanding from platform 21 and secured to and supported therefrom are a pair of side frame members 24, one at each side of platform 21, for supporting the turret assembly and cleaning system therebetween. Mounted to each side of frame member 24 and extending adjacent the rear of the carriage is a handle mounting member 25 which extends rearward to overhang the carriage. A bar-shaped handle 26 is secured between mounting members 25 at the overhanging end thereof. The carriage may be conveniently and easily maneuvered by an ambulatory operator by means of handle 26.

Now referring especially to FIGURES 1, 9 and 10, the cleaning system 13 is defined generally by a casing 36 composed of a plurality of joined sheet members configurated as shown, and mounted through the carriage assembly at an incline with respect to the horizontal. A bracket 31 on each side of casing 30 secures casing 30 to side frame member 24. The lower end of casing 30 is secured by an out-turned flange 32 and bolts 33 to platform 21 (FIG. 4).

A conveyor comprising an endless chain 34 is mounted generally on the incline of casing 30. Conveyor 34 extends around a pair of spaced sprockets 35 and 37 keyed to shafts 36 and 38, respectively, with conveyor 34 on the general incline of casing 30 along the lower portion thereof. Shaft 38 is supported from platform 21 by suitable bearing mountings 39 and shaft 36 is supported by bearing mounting member 40 which is, in turn, supported by braces 41 from platform 21 (FIG. 3). Adjacent the lower or left end of conveyor 34 as viewed in FIGURE 1, there is indicated a pin receiving station 42 where pins are received for transport by the upper reach of the conveyor upward through a cleaning zone for purposes of cleaning the pins.

A plurality of pendant push lugs 43 are provided spaced along and pivotally connected to and carried by conveyor chain 34. The pivot pins of lugs 43 are indicated by reference numeral 44. Each of lugs 43 includes a forwardly projecting finger 45 rotatably mounted thereon and configurated for engaging a central opening or bore, conventionally included in bowling pin bottom of base surfaces. Each of push lugs 43 includes a rearwardly extending arm 46 which is adapted to rest upon chain 34 when on the upper reach thereof so that finger 45 is generally parallel to chain 34. Guide rails 47 are provided along and above a portion of the upper reach of chain 34 on each side thereof for guiding the outstanding lugs 43 while carrying pins upward. In operation of lugs 43, as the lug is transferred from the lower reach of conveyor 34 to the upper reach thereof, arm 46 comes to a position resting on and supported from chain 34 and finger 45 engages the recess in the base end of a bowling pin introduced base first to bowling pin pick-up station 42. Lug 43, engaged with the bowling pin, carries the pin therewith.

For supporting the pins over portions of their length of carriage by the conveyor system, there is provided a support track in the form of a pair of parallel su port rails 50, each of which includes a plurality of laterally rotatable disc rollers 51 spaced and separated by sleeves 52, preferably one integral with each disc. Support rails 50 are in two sections. The first section is mounted at one end to the casing 30 by brackets 53 and at the other end of casing 30 by brackets 54. The second section of rails is mounted at one end by brackets 55 and at the other by brackets 56. The support rails and rollers 51 are not provided through a wash chamber 57, to be described hereinafter. It will be apparent that a pin supported by finger 45 and rollers 51 on rails 50 may be rotated laterally about its axis, finger 45 having its axis generally ailgned with that of the bowling pin.

Wash chamber 57 is illustrated generally as defined within an enclosing casing 61 which forms a portion of the overall casing 30. Casing 60 has an inlet opening 61 where the lugs 43 and bowling pins enter and an outlet opening 62 through which bowling pins may be carried from the wash chamber. A pair of brushes 63 and 64 are secured to flexible drive shafts 65 and 66 for rotation therewith. Drive shafts 65 and 66 are rotatably mounted through suitable mounting members or brush holders 67 and 68. The flexibility of drive shafts 65 and 66 permits some change in the angular disposition of brushes 63 and 64 when engaged by a pin passing through wash chamber 57. Mounting members 67 and 68 are pivotally mounted on brackets 69 for movement toward and away from each other. Tension springs 70, one biasing between each mounting member 67 and 68 and suitable framework, i.e. backing bar 34a which backs chain 34, normally urge mounting members 67 and 68, and brushes 63 and 64 carried thereby, toward each other. Thus, although brushes 63 and 64 are shown mounted at slightly different angular dispositions, the disposition of brushes 63 and 64 may change during the pin washing operation.

Brushes 63 and 64 each have a concave periphery of generally hour-glass shape and may include a solid core with stiff bristles projecting outward therefrom. The outer bristle ends may be cut to define the hour-glass configuration. Preferably, however, the brushes comprise partially resilient nylon pads such as may be composed of Scotchbrite or the like. During operation of the brushes, the brushes are rotated in the same direction of rotation and a pin head is introduced therebetween, the pin belly still resting on rollers 51. The rotation of brushes 63 and 64 is transferred in part to the pin and the pin begins to rotate as it progresses through chamber 57. Preferably, brushes 63 and 64 are disposed so that the axis of the pin approximately bisects the axis of the brush at the thinnest portion of the hour-glass brush configuration.

As t'he pin progresses further through chamber 57, e.g. to the position shown in phantom by pin P-l in FIGURE 10, the pin head engages a head brush 71 which is secured against rotation. The pin by this time has left rollers 51, reached a rapid rotational speed and is supported solely by finger 45 and brushes 63 and 64, as well as brush 71. Brush 71 cleans the pin head and prevents the pin from being squeezed away from brushes 63 and 64 while brushes 63 and 64 are cleaning the lower portion of the pin belly. Brush 71 may be of the same composition as brushes 63 and 64, e.g. Scotchbrite. At position P-1 the pin head has already progressed through the wash brushes 63 for scrubbing of the sides of the head, back and shoulders of the pin and the pin head is protruding from outlet 62 for conveyance to a rinsing zone. Wash fluid such as liquid detergent solution is supplied to the washing zone and rinse liquid is supplied to the rinsing zone as will be described hereinbelow.

Head brush 71 is secured to an arm 72 which is pivotally mounted at '73 to a slide bracket 80. Arm 72 includes a latch end 74 capable of engaging with a latch-engaging or latching end 75 of a trip member 76 pivotally mounted at 77 to bracket 80. Member 76 is mounted off-center with end 75 normally tending to fall. With latching ends 74 and 7S engaged, as shown in FIGURE 10, brush 71 is held against pivoting on pin 73.

Bracket 86 includes spaced arms slidably on a pair of laterally spaced rods 81 mounted by suitable brackets 82 to a wall of casing 30. Compression springs 83, provided on each of rods 81, urge slidable mounting to the left as viewed in FIGURES 9 and 10, i.e. away from the rinse zone and toward the wash zone. A bumper 84, mounted to casing 30, is provided to limit the travel of mounting member 80 under the urging of springs 83,

Secured to the interior surface of a cover portion of the upper Wall of casing 30 is a trip projection 85 aligned to trip the trip member 76 counterclockwise, as viewed in FIGURE 10 about pin 77 upon progression of brush 71 a predetermined distance to the right in FIGURE 10. Thus, as a bowling pin is carried by the conveyor system away from pin position P-1 and up the incline in FIGURE 10, a predetermined distance, trip member 76 engages projection 85 and pivots counterclockwise releasing latch ing end 73 from latching end 74 of arm 72. Arm 72 is then free to pivot counterclockwise about pin 73 under urging of the pin head against brush 71, so that brush 71 is pivoted upward out of the path of the bowling pin while mounting 80 is urged by springs 83 into engagement with bumper 84. The bowling pin is now supported on rollers 51 on the second length of track 50. After passage of the pin to almost the position shown at P2 in FIGURE 9, brush 71 is free to fall from the bowling pin and pivots clockwise about pin 73. The end 75 of member 76 drops with member 76 pivoting clockwise about pin 77 and latching ends 74 and 75 engage in the position as shown in FIGURE 10.

In the rinsing zone, a rinsing ring 86 is disposed to direct water supplied thereto inwardly through an array of spray ports to spray a pin passing through the ring, resulting in rinsing of the detergent or the other wash fluid therefrom. As the bowling pin is carried further through the cleaning zone, e.g. to position P-2, the pin is dried or at least partially dried by a blower 88 mounted on the top wall of casing 30 with its outlet directed downward toward the path of the pin. Blower 88 is motor-driven and of conventional type. Preferably, a hot volatile rinse such as hot water is supplied to ring 86, so that the pins may be dried after the rinse in a relatively short period of time.

As the pin progresses through the drying zone, the pin again leaves rollers 51. Lug 43 continues to urge the pin, supported on rails 50, toward a deflector plate 89 angularly disposed across the pin path for deflecting the pin from an opening 90 in the side wall of casing 30. A delivery tray or drop pan such as shown at reference numeral 91, may be provided to direct the pin laterally a distance before dropping to the floor, e.g. for directing pins over bowling lane pit backing structures for return to the pit. Plate 89 initially deflects the pin to rest on tray 91, still receiving the exhaust of blower 88, to permit longer drying time, and the next subsequent pin carried by the conveyor system urges the pin from tray 91 and comes to rest on tray 91 to be urged therefrom by still another subsequent pin.

Referring especially to FIGURES l, 2, 6 and 7, a turret mechanism or assembly 14 functions as a pin receiving and storage system for delivery of pins to the pin cleaning system at the receiving station 42. As illustrated, the turret includes a pin wheel or plate member 94 having peripheral teeth 95 and mounted on a shaft 96 which is in turn rotata'bly supported by bearings 97 through side frames 24. Teeth 95 are in mesh with teeth of a pinion 98 mounted on shaft 174 (described hereinafter) for driving wheel 94 counterclockwise in FIGURE 1. Sprocket -2 drives pin wheel 94 clockwise in FIGURE 1, through chain 103 and sprocket 104, sprocket 104 being secured to shaft 96 for rotating shaft 96 therewith. Pinion 98 or sprocket 102 rotates with shaft 174 or is freed from rotation therewith depending on the shifting position of a shifting mechanism 100, of which pinion 98 and sprocket 102 are selectively engageable outputs. Shifting mechanism 100 is operated by shift arm 101 to selectively engage pinion 98 or sprocket 102 with a drive system for rotation with wheel 94 selectively in one direction or the other, as will be explained in more detail hereinbelow. Shift arm 101 may be shifted to the right of a central position as viewed in FIGURE 2 for driving Wheel 94 counterclockwise as viewed in FIGURE 1 when it is desired to release or discharge pins to the station 42 for wash purposes. Shift arm 101 is moved to the left of central position, as viewed in FIGURE 2, to drive wheel clockwise, in FIGURE 1, when it is desired to load turret assembly with pins to be washed. The central position of arm 101 is a neutral position in which neither pinion 98 nor sprocket 102 is engaged.

Referring especially to FIGURES l, 6 and 7, a plurality of pin pockets 107 are provided on either side of wheel 94. In the illustrated form eleven evenly spaced 108 holding pin pockets 107 are provided on each side of wheel 94 in circular array, the pin pockets on one side of the wheel being staggered with respect to the pockets on the other in their angular disposition. The pin pockets 107 are secured directly to plate 94 by bolts and are of sufficient size to provide loose fit of a bowling pin P therein, the fit being sufficiently loose so that with the butt of the bowling pin downward, the pin will slide from pocket 107.

In order to retain bowling pins Within pockets 107, a spring-biased lever 108 projects into each pocket through an opening 109 in the pocket wall adjacent the base of a pin disposed within the pocket. Lever is pivotally mounted at 110 and includes a trip arm 111 projecting generally radially from the edge of wheel 94. In its position shown in FIGURE 6, with a pin in pocket 107, lever 103 is pivoted counterclockwise and engages a surface 112 of opening 109, stopping further counterclockwise movement thereof. A pad of rubber, leather, plastic or the like, shown at 113 is provided on an end of lever 108 for abutting the side of a bowling pin base portion when a pin is disposed within pocket 107.

In order to load the turret with pins, the turret plate 94 is driven in clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 1 and the pins are slipped, head end first, into pin receivers 107 from the end of the device adjacent handle 26 as the pin pockets are rotated past the operators position at handle 26 for pin loading. The operator may use shift arm 101 to control the rotation during loading.

To load each pin in a pocket, latch 108 is pivoted clockwise as viewed in FIGURE 6, until the belly of the pin clears the lever 100 and the pin is in proper position, whereupon lever 108 either falls by gravity or is repositioned counterclockwise so that end 113 abuts the pin, holding the pin within pocket 107 during rotation of plate or pin wheel 94.

Turning now particularly to FIGURES 1, 2, 6, 9 and 10, the delivery system 15 is provided for transferring or delivering pins from wheel 94 and pockets 107 to pin receiving station 42 for use by the pin cleaning assembly. For this purpose shift arm 101 is moved to the right in FIGURE 2 and wheel 94 is driven counterclockwise. Mounted above wash chamber 57 and pivotally supported through suitable brackets by casing 30 adjacent a pin delivery station 121 at which pins are to be delivered from wheel 94, is a trip arm 116 pivotal at 117. A stop 118 is mounted on casing 30 for stopping clockwise pivoting of arm member 116 by abutment of an adjustable screw member threaded through arm 119 of lever 116 against stop member 118. A tension spring 120 connected between arm 119 and casing 30 normally urges lever 116 in a clockwise direction to the position shown in FIGURE 10 in abutment with stop member 118.

During loading of the pin wheel 94, Le. during clockwise rotation as viewed in FIGURE 1, the pendant levers pins within pockets 107 sequentially engage lever 116, resulting merely in pivoting of lever 116 counterclockwise against the urging of spring 120, lever 116 returning clockwise to abutment with stop member 118 after lever 108 has been rotated out of engagement with lever 116. During counterclockwise rotation of wheel 94, for the purpose of discharging pins from pockets 107 to the pin pick-up station 42, the levers 108 of the pockets 107 sequentially engage arm 116 as the wheel is rotated. Upon engagement with lever 116, each lever 100 is pivoted clockwise to release a pin from the respective pocket 107 at the pin release or delivery station indicated generally by reference numeral 121 for de livery of the pin base first to station 42. For conducting or directing the pins delivered from the wheel at the delivery station 121, a delivery conduit in. the form of wire guides .122 (FIGURE 1) or a sheet metal chute 123 (FIGURES 9 and 10) is provided and suitably formed at the bottom end to pass pins to the conveyor. A stop plate 125 may be provided for stopping pins delivered at station 42 in proper position for pick-up by lugs 43, the pins being delivered and stopped butt first.

The wash and rinse fluid supply and flow system 16 for supplying wash and rinse fluids to the wash and time zones of the cleaning system is best illustrated with reference to FIGURES 1, 4, and 10. Separate wash and rinse fluid tanks 128 and 129 are provided, separated by a wall 130. Tanks 128 and 129 are suspended beneath platform 21, platform 21 forming the covers thereof. Rinse fluid storage tank 129 includes an electric resistance heating element 131 which may be supplied with power from a suitable source through cables 132. In the portion of platform 21 defining the upper wall or cover of wash fluid storage tank 128, there is an elongated or slot-like opening 133 defining the lip of a well through which lugs 43 pass during a portion of their conveyance on the lower reach of conveyor 34. The well sides, ends and bottom are defined by screens in the configuration of a screen cage 134, having upwardly outwardly projecting flanges 135 releasably bolted to the lower face of platform 21 by bolts 136. Tank 128 may be initially filled with wash or detergent fluid through opening 133.

Leading from an outlet of wash fluid storage tank 128 is a wash water conduit 139 for conducting wash water to washing zone 57 at a wash water outlet 138 from conduit 139. Outlet 138 directs the wash water upon brushes 63 and 64 for scrubbing the bowling pin while in chamber 57. A pair of wash water return conduits 148 are provided for returning wash water from chamber 57 to tank 128 through opening 133 whereby the water is filtered by a screen cage 134 prior to recirculation through conduit 139. A pump 141 is provided in line 139 for pumping the Wash or detergent fluid from the tank 128 to chamber 57, return to tank 128 being by gravity flow.

Connected to an outlet of rinse liquid tank 129 is a rinse water withdrawal conduit 142 for conducting rinse liquid to rinse ring 86. Rinse water is returned to tank 129 via return conduit 143. A pump 144 is provided in line 142 for drawing rinse liquid from tank 149 for ejection through the orifices of ring 86.

It will be noted that rinse water return conduit 143 is connected to a nipple 150 which is secured through a removable plate or cover 146 over a circular opening in plate 21 covering tank 129. Cover 146 has a handle 147 secured to the upper face thereof and is secured to plate 21 by means of knurled knob and slot arrangements 148, of conventional design so that the plate 146 may be removed, e.g. for filling tank 129 with rinse liquid. Secured to and projecting downward from plate 146 and enclosing the outlet of conduit 143 is a cup-like screen cage 149 for filtering rinse water returned to tank 129. Both cages 134 and 149 are removable for cleaning purposes.

Also provided in the flow system for circulating wash and rinse water are a rinse water collection trough 153 and a wash water collection trough 154 for collecting water for a return through conduits 143 and 140, respectively. In operation of the device, rinse Water from ring 86 is collected in trough 153 and return to tank 129 while wash water from outlet 138 is collected in trough 154 and returned through conduits 148 to tank 128, thereby providing cyclic flow of wash and rinse water in generally separate flow paths. Fluids may be drained as desired from tanks 128 and 129 via drain outlets 151 and 152 having removable plugs therein.

Referring especially to FIGURES l-4, in the drive system for the illustrated device, mounted on plate or platform 21 is a gear box 155 driven by electric motor 156 as the prime mover. Motor 156 drives input sprocket 157, mounted to the gear box input shaft, by means of a belt 161 between a sprocket on the motor drive shaft and sprocket 157. Gear box 155 is a speed reduction gear box having a pair of outputs 158 and 159 reduced at a ratio of 3:1 from the input; gear box 155 has a third output driving sprocket 160, the third output being reduced at a ratio of 8:1 from the input. Outputs 158 and 159 are connected through friction couplings 162 to shafts 66 and 65 respectively. Friction couplings 162 prevent breaking of shafts 65 and 66 in event of a jam such as may be caused by a broken bowling pin.

A pulley for driving a belt 163 is secured to the other end of the drive shaft of motor 156. Belt 163 in turn drives a pulley secured to the input shaft of pump 141. Another pulley on the input shaft of pump 141 drives a second belt 164 which, in turn, drives the input shaft of pump 144 through a pulley secured thereto. Direct drive of pumps 141 and 144 is thereby provided by the belt and pulley arrangement from motor 156.

For driving the conveyor chain 34, a drive belt 167 is provided on the 8:1 output sprocket of gear box 155. Belt 167 drives a sprocket 168 secured to a hub 169 of a clutch mechanism 170. Clutch mechanism 170 connects sprockets 168 to shaft 36 for driving shaft 36 and sprocket 35, the drive sprocket for conveyor 34. The clutch mechanism 170 is provided to permit slippage in the drive train to the conveyor in case of a pin am.

At the other end of the conveyor a sprocket 171 is secured to shaft 38 for rotation therewith. A belt 172 extends from sprocket 171 to a sprocket 173 mounted on a shaft 174 for driving shaft 174 from shaft 38. Shaft 174 is the input shaft to the shifting mechanism which, in turn, enables driving of wheel 94 in either direction.

As best seen in FIGURE 8, shaft 174 is mounted through a pair of thrust bearings 177 to suitable framework such as side frames 24. Shift lever 101 is provided with a ball end 178 contained within an annular groove 179 in a sleeve 180. Ball 178 is pivotal laterally as viewed in FIGURE 8, within groove 179 and is retained in the groove by the lips of the groove during rotation of sleeve 180 relative to handle 101, while ball 178 tracks in groove 179. Handle 101 is pivotally mounted at 181 (FIGURE 8) to a bracket 182 secured to side frame 24.

In FIGURE 8, a transverse pin 182' is secured in sleeve 180. Pin 182' projects through a pair of elongate slots 183 in opposing portions of the wall of the hollow shaft 174 and diametrically crosses sleeve 180 and shaft 174. It will be seen that moving lever end 178 to the left, as viewed in FIGURE 8, will move sleeve 181) to the left, carrying pin 182' within slot 183.

Within the hollow shaft 174, a shifting bar 186 is slidably mounted by pins 187, secured at each end to shaft 174 and projecting through slots 188 in bar 186. Secured to bar 186 are a pair of spring-grounding pins 189, each having a compression spring 1911 hearing thereagainst. The other end of compression spring 190 carries a plunger 191 bearing against pin 182.

Shifting bar 186 also has secured thereto a pair of large pins 192 and 198 projecting through slots 193 and 199 in shaft 174. Pins 192 and 198 act as shafts which carry rotatably mounted rollers 94 and 208 which, when moved respectively toward pinion 98 or sprocket 102, engage projections 195 or 201 on hub of pinion 98 or sprocket 102 respectively. In operation, as lever end 178 is moved to the left in FIGURE 8, sleeve 180 is moved to the left, carrying pin 182 which urges a plunger 191 .to compress a spring 190; the compressed spring 190 in turn biases a pin 189 to the left, as viewed in FIGURE 8. Rollers 280 are rotating with the shaft 174 and the remainder of the shifting assembly, with the exception of lever 101. As the rollers begin to engage projection 201, they are permitted to roll in and out of the projections, i.e. roll over the projections. The compressed spring 190 urges pin 189 in slide bar 186 suflicient to the left to positively engage rollers 200 with the surface 201 whereupon sprocket 192 is engaged with and rotates with shaft 174. Sprocket 102, through belt 103, sprocket 104 and shaft 96, rotates plate M clockwise as viewed in FIGURE 1.

In like manner, shifting of handle end 178 to the right in FIGURE 8 urges sleeve 180 to the right and urges rollers 194 into engagement with the surface 195 through the other spring 190, now compressed. The rollers again roll in and out of partial engagement until fully engaged, at which time pinion drive gear 98 is rotated with shaft 174' and rotates plate 94 through gear teeth 95 in mesh with gear 98 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 1.

The rollers 194 or 2% provide a slip clutch action when engaging with surfaces 195 and 201 respectively so that undue sudden strains are not placed on the drive connections. The gear box ratios and the drive belt and sprocket ratios for driving the turret wheel 94 and the conveyor 34 are such that the wheel 94 may be driven during loading procedures at a convenient loading speed and is driven in reverse direction for feeding pins to the wash system at a speed sutficient to supply a bowling pin to station 42 just prior to passage of each lug 43 through station 42 for pin pick-up. The drive speeds may be adjusted or changed as desired or needed.

It has been found that when using the device as herein described with the preferred cleaning brush configuration and arrangement and with brushes of the preferred Scotchbrite material, cleaning of pins can be effected at a very fast rate, resulting in cleaning of a complete complement of bowling pins to be used by an automatic pinsetter within a matter of a few minutes. The device further saves time in permitting delivery of the pin cleaning operation to the site of the pins to be cleaned, e.g. to a bowling lane pit rather than necessitating delivery and return of pins to a position removed from the pit.

We claim:

1. A portable bowling pin cleaning device movable by an ambulatory operator along an aisle between the ends of an array of bowling lane pits and building structures therebehind, which may be loaded by the operator with the normal complement of pins used by an automatic pinsetter installed at the bowling lane and is capable of cleaning such pins, which device comprises a carriage, a generally upstanding turret rotatably mounted on said carriage, a plurality of pin receiving means in said turret sufficient in number to receive the complement of pins in said pinsetter, means for driving said turret in one direction of rotation for loading pins in said pin receiving means and in the other direction of rotation for unloading pins therefrom at an unloading station, means for releasing pins from each of said pin receiving means up on passage of the pin receiving means to the unloading station during the unloading rotation of said turret, means mounted on said carriage for cleaning pins delivered thereto, and means conducting pins from said unloading station to said pin cleaning means.

2. In a bowling pin cleaning structure including a cleaning zone, the improvement which comprises means rotatably mounted on said structure and adapted to receive, retain and deliver a bowling pin, and selectively reversible drive means for driving said rotatably mounted means in one direction of rotation to dispose said rotatably mounted means for receiving a pin in a pin receiving position and in the other direction of rotation to dispose said rotatably mounted means for delivering a pin to the cleaning zone at a pin delivery station,

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said rotatably mounted means is generally upright turret means, mounted for rotation about a transverse axis and includes a circular a*- ray of pin receiving pockets, and said drive means comprises a prime mover, driven means driven by said prime mover, a pair of separate drive trains each separately engaging said turret for driving said turret in different directions, means for selectively engaging and disengaging either of said drive trains with said driven means for driving said turret in a selected direction and for selectively disengaging both of said drive trains from said driven means, adapted to disengage one of said drive trains from said driven means prior to engagement of the other of said drive trains.

4. A bowling pin cleaner comprising a structure defining a pin cleaning zone, conveyor means for conveying a bowling pin through said zone, head brush means disposed within said zone to engage the pin head during conveyance of the pin through said zone, and means establishing relative rotary movement between the pin and said head brush means.

5. A bowling pin cleaner comprising a structure defining a pin cleaning zone, conveyor means for conveying a bowling pin through said zone, support means supporting the bowling pin for rotary movement about its axis during at least a portion of its conveyance through said zone, a pair of yieldably mounted driven brushes each of hourglass shape disposed laterally of the bowling pin axis to engage and scrub the bowling pin head, neck, belly and base in sequence during conveyance of the pin through the cleaning zone, said brushes being disposed and driven in a direction of rotation on their axes presenting engaging portions to said pin for transferring rotation to the pin, non-rotatable head brush means normally in position for engagement with the head or cap of a pin being conveyed through said cleaning zone, slide means mounting said head brush means for sliding away from pi-n head engagement position by force of said conveyor transferred through the pin during conveyance of the pin within said zone, said mounting means including two portions pivotally connected whereby said head brush is pivotally movable relative to the pin head in the direction of pin travel for pivoting out of the pin path of travel and releasable latch means normally latching said head brush in the pin path of travel, means responsive to sliding of said head brush a predetermined distance during conveyance of said pin through said cleaning zone for releasing said latch means whereby said brush is enabled to pivot from the pin path, and resilient means normally urging said brush to slidably return to pin head engagement position.

6. A device for cleaning bowling pins having base recesses comprising a structure defining a pin cleaning zone, a driven endless conveyor having its upper reach extending through said cleaning zone, and a plurality of push lugs on said conveyor, each of said push lugs while on the upper reach of the conveyor having a forward protruding finger contiigurated to engage the recess in the bowling pin base whereby said conveyor is adapted to carry the bowling pin on its upper reach head first through the cleaning zone.

7. In a bowling pin cleaner, means defining a pin cleaning zone, means for conveying a bowling pin through the cleaning zone, means for rotating the pin in the pin cleaning zone, a head brush in the pin cleaning zone disposed in the path of a pin to engage the top of the pin head during movement of the pin through the pin cleaning zone, a slide supporting the head brush for movement along the pin path by the pin, means pivotally mounting the brush on the slide for movement between a position in the pin path and a position out of the pin path, and means for releasably holding the :brush in the pin path.

8. A portable bowling pin cleaning device movable by an ambulatory operator along an aisle between the ends of an array of parallel bowling lane pits and building structures therebehind, which may be loaded by the operator with the normal complement of pins used by an automatic pinsetter installed at the bowling lane and is capable of cleaning such pins seriatim upon selection by the operator and returning such pins to the lane pit, which device comprises a narrow carriage, a generally upstanding wheel rotatably mounted on said carriage, a plurality of pin holding means on said wheel suflicient to hold the complement of pins on said wheel, means for driving said wheel in one direction of rotation for loading pins in said pin holding means on said wheel and in the other direction of rotation for unloading pins therefrom at an unloading station, selective switch means for selecting the direction of rotation of said wheel controlling said driving means responsive to said switch means, means normally rendering each of said pin holding means ineffcctive to hold a pin upon passage of the pin holding means to the unloading station during the unloading rotation thereof, whereby a pin is released at said unloading station during such rotation each time a loaded holding means is rotated to said station, resiliently mounted driven and stationary cleaning brush means, means for receiving pins at a pin receiving station, carrying pins into scrubbing association with said driven and stationary cleaning brush means and delivering pins at a pin delivery station, means conducting pins from said unloading station to said receiving station and means for directing pins from said delivery station to the bowling lane pit.

9. In a bowling pin cleaner, means defining a pin cleaning zone, a pair of parallel support rods defining a path of movement for a pin through the cleaning zone, a plurality of adjacent collars rotatably mounted on each rod ttor rotatably supporting a longitudinally disposed pin at laterally spaced positions, and conveyor means for pushing a pin resting on the collars.

10. iln a bowling pin cleaner, means defining a pin cleaning zone, means for conveying a bowling pin through the cleaning zone, a pair of rotary brushes in the pin cleaning zone, each being of generally hour-glass shape, means mounting the brushes for rotation about axes inclined to each other to engage and scrub the bowling pin head, neck, belly and base in sequence during movement of the pin through the cleaning zone including a pivoted arm carrying each brush and means biasing the brushes toward each other.

11. A combination as defined in claim 10, including a flexible drive shaft connected to each brush at its axis for rotating the brush, and drive means for rotating the shafts.

12. A bowling pin cleaning device comprising a wheeled carriage, handle means for moving said carriage, structure defining a pin cleaning zone mounted on said carriage, and pin receiving turret means rotatably mounted on said carriage for receiving bowling pins at a position adjacent said handle means and sequentially delivering received bowling pins through a delivery path to said pin cleaning zone.

13. -A bowling pin cleaning device comprising a frame, structure defining a pin cleaning zone mounted on said frame, pin receiving turret means rotatably mounted on said frame for receiving bowling pins and sequentially delivering received bowling pins through a delivery path to a pin discharge position, washing means in said cleaning zone, rinsing means beyond said washing means in said cleaning zone, and conveyor means disposed to sequentially receive pins from said turret means at said discharge position and convey such delivered pins to the pin cleaning zone in [washing association with said washing means and from said washing means into rinsing association with said rinsing means.

14. The device of claim 13 including drying means beyond said rinsing means in said cleaning zone, said conveyor being disposed to carry bowling pins from said rinsing means into drying association with said drying means.

15. In a bowling pin cleaning structure, the improvement which comprises turret means mounted on said structure in generally vertical disposition for rotation about a generally horizontal axis, said turret means comprising an upright wheel with angularly disposed pin receivers on each side thereof in circu ar array for receiving and rei2 leasably retaining bowling pins, said pin receivers being staggered on one side of said Wheel with respect to the other side and traveling through a curved path upon rotation of the turret for delivery of pins from one position in said path to another position in said path.

'16. A device for delivering pins to a pin cleaner at a pin release station, which device comprises a frame, turret means mounted on said frame for rotation in either of two opposite directions of rotation, selectively operable means for driving said turret in each of said two directions, pin receiving means mounted on said turret for rotation therewith past the pin release station, releasable holding means for said pin receiving means for releasably holding a bowling pin therein, and means releasing said holding means at the pin release station responsive to rotation of said holding means to said release station in only one of said two directions of rotation.

17. A device for delivering pins to a pin cleaner at a pin release station, which device comprises a frame, turret means rotatably mounted on said frame for rotation in either of two opposite directions of rotation, a plurality of pin receiving means mounted on said turret for rotation therewith past a pin receiving station, a releasable latch for each of said pin receiving means for releasably holding a bowling pin therein, said latch being movable between latched and unlatched positions for engaging and releasing a pin respectively, and means adjacent the path OLE turret travel for tripping each latch for movement from latched to unlatched position during rotation of the turret in one direction with the corresponding pin receiving means at the pin release station, whereby the pin is released from the receiving means at said release station, said latch means being relatchable and being adapted to be held in normally latched position by the presence of a bowling pin in the receiving means but movable by said tripping means with a bowling pin in the receiving means, said tripping means being ineffective to move the latch to unlatched position during rotation of said turret in the other direction of rotation.

18. A bowling pin cleaner comprising a structure defining a pin cleaning zone, driven wash brush means in said zone for scrubbing the bowling pin during its conveyance through said zone, and conveyor means including a pin support system for supporting and conveying a bowling pin into and away from said ibrush means, said driven brush means being positioned to receive the pin from said support means, support and convey the pin while scrubbing and redeposit the pin on said support system.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,045,943 12/1912 Burrows 1521 1,053,903 2/1913 Chilton 1S60 1,093,841 4/1914 Gallup 15--63 1,276,897 8/1918 Gallup et al 1560 X 1,664,637 4/1928 Merseles et al 134-72 X 1,817,332 8/1931 Worrall 1577 2,630,694 3/ 1953 Creswick 6 8-18.l 2,786,679 3/ 1957 Strauss et al. 273-43 2,933,746 4/1960 Fraud 15--77 X 2,960,337 11/1960 Johnson 273-43 3,004,760 10/1961 Congelli 27343 3,097,382 7/1963 Angle 15--3.13 3,098,250 7/1963 Creech 15--77 3,178,745 4/1965 Kleebauer 15-77 CHA RLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.

EDWARD L. ROBERTS, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

12. A BOWLING PIN CLEANING DEVICE COMPRISING A WHEELED CARRIAGE, HANDLE MEANS FOR MOVING SAID CARRIAGE, STRUCTURE DEFINING A PIN CLEANING ZONE MOUNTED ON SAID CARRIAGE, AND PIN RECEIVING TURRET MEANS ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID CARRIAGE FOR RECEIVING BOWLING PINS AT A POSITION

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