US3458190A

US3458190A - Bowling game

Info

Publication number: US3458190A
Application number: US553418A
Authority: US
Inventors: Christopher Metz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1966-05-27
Filing date: 1966-05-27
Publication date: 1969-07-29
Anticipated expiration: 1986-07-29

Description

C. METZ BOWLING GAME July 29, 1969 Filed May 27, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 5 \I \L. p, On 4% 2? 5 1 3 39 n L A /2/0 40.. m T l. 5,@ \G f 7] 3 4 mL UL LL L A GA wa MB B T [sof .LT M v www Z UM R .nlvM mmf, VP NO// IT R H w C V.. B 44 83W. f m.. .Z Y 8 Y 3 .IIL ..\.p....2 .2 0 ,9.... .2

AT TORN EYS C. METZ BOWLING GAME llO 44 July 29, 1969 med may 27, 196e 3g 56 Fl INVENTOR BY CHRISTOPHER METZ M gf/M ATTORNEYS.

FIG. 'Z

United States Patent C 3,458,190 BOWLING GAME Christopher Metz, 180 Brixton Road, Garden City, N.Y. 11530 Filed May 27, 1966, Ser. No. 553,418 Int. Cl. A63d 5/00 US. Cl. 273--41 7 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A bowling game apparatus that includes a bowling surface on which a target ball is positioned by a positioning device and wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of pockets into which the target ball is knocked by a bowling ball rolled along the playing surface.

This invention relates to a bowling game apparatus and more particularly to a fascinating new bowling game requiring new and heretofore unused bowling skills.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel bowling gaine apparatus that will require the players to use bowling skills uncommon to the bowling skills utilized in present bowling gaines.

Another object of the inventi-on is to provide a bowling game apparatus wherein the bowling ball is required to be manipulated with varying skills to satisfy the objectives of play of the game.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a bowling game apparatus that is of unique construction wherein one or more balls may be played at the same time, and which, when more than one ball is played at one time, the object of the play is to obtain certain specific and separate results by the play of each ball.

Other objects and features of the present invention -reside in the novel details of construction which provide a bowling game apparatus having a continuous play value, so that the players thereof do not quickly become bored with the play of the game.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description when taken in conjunct1on with the accompanying drawings, in which.

FIG. 1 is a perspective View of a bowling apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention, to a reduced scale;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the bowling apparatus taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the present apparatus taken along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 3, taken along the line 4--4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the bowling apparatus taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3, with parts broken away;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the target ball return channel, taken along the line 6 6 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view of a modified embodiment of a target ball return mechanism.

The bowling game apparatus of the present invention is designated generally by the numeral 10 in FIG. 1 and includes by way of general description a bowling portion or alley 12 that terminates in a housing 14. Received within the housing 14 are a plurality of pockets 16 (FIG. 2) and a target ball positioning device 18. A target ball 20 is adapted to be positioned at a preselected location on the bowling alley 12 by the positioning device 18. The target ball 20 is adapted to be knocked into one of the plurality of pockets 16 by a bowling -ball 22 which, in turn, is adapted to be rolled down the bowling portion or alley 12 by the player. In practice, the diameter of the target ball 20 is greater than the diameter of the bowling ball 22. The bowling ball 22 is likewise adapted to be received within one of the plurality of pockets 16.

Received within the housing 14 is a sorting means which separates the target ball 20 from the bowling ball 22 to direct the balls along divergent paths. Thus, the bowling ball 22 is adapted to be returned to a player, located at the front of the bowling portion or alley 12, via a return track 24. On the other hand, the target ball 20 is directed to the positioning means 18 which again relocates the target ball 20 at the preselected location on the bowling portion 12.

The object of the preferred method of play of the present game is to roll a bowling ball 22 down the bowling portion or alley 12 to strike the target ball 20 at an angle such that the target ball 20 and the bowling ball 22 each enter different ones of the plurality of pockets 16 in a predetermined sequence. Scoring means may be provided so that different players may achieve a numerical indication according to their skill in attaining the desired objectives of the game.

More specifically, the bowling portion or alley 12 includes an elongated bowling surface 26 that is supported between and bordered by

opposed side walls

28 and 30. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the

side walls

28 and 30 extend above the bowling surface 26 to maintain a ball thereon. At the front end of the bowling portion or alley 12 there is provided a front wall 32 and a track 24 in the top edge of the wall 30 extends to the front wall 32. A rear transverse wall 34 supports the rear end of the bowling surface 26. As shown in FIG. 3, the bowling surface 26 is slightly inclined rearward and downward from a point spaced from the rear edge of the bowling surface 26 to provide a playing field 27.

The housing 14 includes a top wall 36, a bottom wall 38, a rear wall 40, and opposed

side walls

42 and 44. The top wall 36 extends forwardly over the rear portion of the bowling surface 26 and overlies the positioning device 18. A front wall 46 is provided on the housing 14 which terminates above the bowling surface 26, as shown in FIG. 3. The front wall 46 may be provided with indicia to indicate which of the pockets 16 the respective target ball 20 and the bowling ball 22 have entered during the play of the game. This indicia may take the form of numbered sections corresponding to different ones of the plurality of pockets 16 which are adapted to be illuminated by individual lamps 48 in the manner indicated below. Additionally, a totalizing means 50 may be provided on the top wall 36 to indicate the total score that a player has attained during the play of the game.

Received within the housing 14 is the aforementioned plurality of pockets 16. More specifically, the plurality of pockets 16 includes live open-ended pockets respectively designated 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60 which are positioned at the rear of the bowling surface 26 and which are defined by forwardly extending partitions 62. The pockets 52-60 are aligned in a horizontal row and each one of the pockets is adapted to receive either or both the target ball 20 and the bowling ball 22. Each one of the pockets 52-60 is provided with an aperture 64 in the bottom wall thereof (FIGS. 1 and 2) through which the target ball 20 and the bowling ball 22 are adapted to drop and pass. A wall 66 is positioned behind the plurality of pockets 16 and it extends above the top edge of the pockets to prevent the target ball and the bowling ball from jumping over the plurality of pockets 16 and entering the rear of the housing 14.

A shelf 68 (FIG. 3) is positioned below the plurality of pockets 16 and above the bottom wall 38 of the housing 14. The shelf 68 extends rearwardly downwardly from the rear wall 34 for a short distance and it is supported by respective longitudinally spaced transverse partitions 70. Each one of the partitions 70 is in alignment with a respective partition 62 to define ve compartments respectively designated 72, 74, 76, 78 and 80 (FIG. 4). Since the

partitions

70 and 62 are in alignment, it will be obvious that the compartments 72-80 will be aligned with and respectively underlie the pockets 52-60.

Additionally, a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse partitions 82 are provided between the shelf 68 and the bottom wall of the plurality of pockets 16. The partitions 82 are in alignment with respective ones of the

partitions

70 and 62 to divide the shelf 68 into ve compartments respectively designated 84, 86, 88, 90 and 92 (FIG. 4) which will therefore be aligned with and respectively underlie the pockets 52-60 similarly to the compartments 72-80. Each one of the compartments 84-92 is provided with a through bore 94 in the shelf 68 so that the compartments 84-92 respectively communicate with the compartments 72-80. As noted above, the target ball has a much larger diameter than the bowling ball 22. The bores 94 are sized so that only the bowling ball 22 may pass therethrough while the larger diameter target ball 20 will be prevented from falling through the bore.

The upper surface of the bottom wall 38 of the housing 14 is inclined rearwardly and downwardly, as shown in FIG. 3. Additionally, the bottom wall 38 is inclined longitudinally downwardly from the side wall 42 to the side wall 44, as shown in FIG. 4. The wall 38 is provided with the above-described slopes for reasons which will become apparent hereinbelow.

If the bowling ball 22 enters the pocket 52, for example the bowling ball will fall through the aperture 64 into the compartment 84, as indicated by the arrowhead 96 in FIG. 3. Accordingly, the bowling ball 22 will roll along the shelf 68 between the adjacent partition 82 and the side wall 42 toward the rear wall 40 due to the downward slope of the shelf. Moreover, the ball 22 will pass through the aperture 94 in the shelf 68, as shown in dot-dash lines, since the aperture is directly in the path of movement of the bowling ball 22. Thus, the bowling ball 22 will enter the compartment 72 which is positioned directly beneath the compartment 84. The bowling ball 22 will continue rolling rearwardly towards the rear wall 40, as indicated by the arrowhead 98, by virtue of the incline of the upper surface of the bottom wall 38. After the bowling ball 22 has rolled beyond the edge of the adjacent transverse partition 70 and has moved outside the compartment 72, it will continue rolling toward the rear wall and downwardly toward the side wall 44 of the housing 14 because of the longitudinal incline of the upper surface of the bottom wall 38.

If, on the other hand, the target ball 20 had entered the pocket S2, the target ball 20 would pass through the aperture 64 and into the compartment 84. The target ball 20 would roll toward the rear wall 40 of the housing 14 by virtue of the incline of the shelf 68, similarly to the bowling ball 22. However, since the diameter of the target ball 20 is larger than the diameter of the bowling ball 22, the target ball will simply roll over the associated through bore 94 and will not fall therethrough into the associated compartment 72. Thus, the target ball 20 will continue rolling to the end of the shelf 68 and fall therefrom onto the bottom wall 38 of the housing 14, as indicated by the arrowhead 100.

When the target ball 20 passes beyond the compartment 84, it will follow the same path that the bowling ball 22 has traversed. That is, the target ball 20 will likewise roll toward the rear wall 40 and the side wall 44 of the housing 14. In other words, both the target ball 20 and the bowling ball 22 will tend to roll toward the junction of the

walls

40 and 44. It is obvious that had the target ball 20 or the bowling ball 22 entered any one of the other Ipockets 54-60 the ball 22 or the ball 20 would have followed a .similar path with respect to the compartments associated with the pocket a particular one of the balls had entered.

As noted hereinabove, the front wall 46 of the housing 14 is provided with indicia means in the form of lamps 48 and numbered sections to indicate which one of the plurality of pockets the bowling ball 22 and the target ball 20 have entered. Thus, the wall 46 is divided into an upper portion 47 designated BOWLING BALL and a lower portion 49 designated TARGET BALL. Each one of the lamps 48 in the upper and lower portion of the front wall 46 is provided with an associated pocket designation. Accordingly, during each play of the game, one of the lamps 48 in the upper portion 47 and one of the lamps 48 in the lower portion 49 will be illuminated to respectively indicate which one of the plurality of pockets the bowling ball 22 and the target ball 20 entered.

In order to illuminate a lamp 48 in the lower portion 49 of the front wall 46 to indicate which one of the plurality of pockets 16 the target ball 20 entered, a plurality of micro-switches 102 are provided. Each microswitch 102 is positioned at the rear exit of a different one of the compartments 84-92 and each is adapted to be closed by the pressure of the target ball 20 rolling thereon. The micro-switches 102 are serially connected with a source of potential (not shown) and with a respective lamp 48 in the lower portion 49 of the front wall of the housing 14. The lamps 48 and the micro-switches 102 are so interconnected that the lamp 48 -associated with a particular pocket designation will be illuminated when the target ball 20 enters the corresponding pocket.

In a similar manner, a plurality of micro-switches 104 are provided and they are operable by the pressure of the bowling ball 22 rolling thereover to cause illumination of the lamps 48 in the upper portion 47 of the front wall 46. Each one of the micro-switches 104 is positioned at the rear exit of a respective one of the compartments 72-80. Each micro-switch 104 is serially connected with a source of potential (not shown) Iand with a diterent one of the lamps 48 in the upper portion of the front wall 46 in a manner such that when the bowling ball 22 enters a particular pocket 52-60, the lamp 48 associated with that pocket designation will be illuminated.

Accordingly, as the target ball 20 rolls through one of the compartments such as compartment 84, for example, it will close the associated micro-switch 102 to cause illumination of the corresponding lamp 48 in the lower portion 49 of the front wall 46. Similarly, as the bowling ball 22 rolls through compartment 76, for example, it will close the micro-switch 104 associated therewith to cause illumination of the corresponding one of the lamps 48 in the upper portion 47 of the front wall 46y of the housing 14. Hence, the players will obtain an immediate visual indication as to which one of the plurality of pockets 16 the respective target ball 20 and the bowling ball 22 have entered.

Positioned adjacent the wall 44 at the rear of the housing 14 is an elevator designated generally by the numeral 106 in FIGS. 3-5. The elevator 106 is adapted to carry the target ball 20 to the positioning device 18 and to carry the bowling ball 22 to the top of and deposit it on the return track 24. More specifically, the elevator 186 comprises an endless chain 108 that extends about

pulleys

110 and 114. The pulley 110 is connected to the output shaft of a motor 112. Extending outwardly from the chain 108 toward the rear wall 40 and the front wall 46 of the housing 14 are a plurality of arms 116 which are provided with deformed ends. The motor 112 is adapted to drive the chain 108 in the direction indicated by arrowhead 118.

As the arms 116 rotate about the pulley 114, the deformed or hooked ends thereof approach the rear wall 40 of the housing 14 in the vicinity of the side wall 44. Accordingly, if the target ball 20 is positioned at the aforementioned junction of the

walls

40 and 44, an arm 116 will engage the ball as the arm moves around the pulley 114, As the particular arm 116 moves upwardly, the

hooked end of the arm will cause the ball to roll against the chain 108. Thus, the ball will remain in position as the arm continues its upward movement. The bowling ball 22 is elevated to the top of the track 24 in a similar manner. That is, the bowling ball 22 will similarly be engaged by an arm 116 and be elevated thereby.

A shelf 120 extends forwardly from a point adjacent the top of the elevator 106 (FIGS. 3 and 5), between the

side walls

42 and 44 of the housing 14. Additionally, the shelf 120l is slightly inclined downwardly from the wall 44 toward the wall 22 and forwardly toward the front wall 46. Provided in the shelf 120 is a groove or channel, 122, that extends forwardly from a point adjacent the elevator 106 and then transversely and which terminates in an enlarged section 124 that is located just beyond the positioning device 18. The width of the groove 122 is in excess of the diameter of the bowling ball 22 but is smaller than the diameter of the target ball 20 for reasons which will become apparent hereinbelow.

As the elevator 106 carries the target ball 20 upward, the arm 116 carrying the target ball thereon passes around the pulley 110 and deposits the target ball on the groove 122. The target ball 20 will roll along the groove 122 in the direction indicated by arrowhead 126 to the enlarged section 124, due to the slope of the shelf 120, that is, the ball will roll down the slope due to gravitational forces. The section 124 is constructed so that it is larger than the target ball 20. Accordingly, the target ball 20 will pass through the shelf 120 and onto the positioning device 18 in the manner indicated below. On the other hand, as the bowling ball 22 is carried upward by an arm 116 and about the pulley 110, the bowling ball will pass through the groove 122 and be deposited upon the track 24 positioned therebelow. It is to be noted that the width of the arrn 116 is less than the width of the groove 122 so that the movement of the elevator 106 will not be impeded by the shelf 120.

The return track 24 includes a substantially horizontal portion (FIG. 3) 126 that merges with a relatively steep forwardly and downwardly inclined portion 128. As the bowling ball 22 passes from the arm 116 of the elevator 106 to the portion 126 of the return track 24, the ball will move forwardly in the direction of the arrowhead 130 due to the forward momentum of the ball as it moves around the pulley 110'. Thus, the bowling ball 22 will roll down the steep incline 128 and gather suicient momentum to traverse a relatively horizontal mid-section 130 of the track 24. An upwardly inclined portion 132 merges smoothly with the mid-section 130 of the track and is connected to a relatively horizontal top portion 134. Accordingly, the bowling ball 22 will roll along the mid-section 130, up the inclined portion 132 and along the top portion 134. Provided on the front Wall 32 of the apparatus is a stop 136vthat projects above the track 24 to stop the forward movement of the ball 22. In practice, a plurality of bowling balls 22 are used. The bowling balls 22 are adapted to be stored on the top section 134 of the track 24 as shown in FIG. 1.

The positioning device 18 comprises a longitudinally extending channel 138 which is p-ivotally mounted to the housing 14 by a shaft 140 (FI-G. 5) that is received in the walls `42 and 44. Connected to and spaced from the front end of the channel 138 is a substantially circular collar member 142 which has a diameter slightly in excess of the diameter of the target ball 20. Connected to the rear end of the channel 38 is a counterweight 144 that is adapted to be moved forwardly and rearwardly on the channel 138 and which may be secured in place by means of a wing nut 146. The position of the weight 144 is adjusted so that the channel 138 may be normally positioned in a slightly downward, forward orientation so it will not interfere with the travel of the target and bowling balls and 22 on the bowling surface 26 during play of the game. Additionally, a further counter-weight 148 is provided and it is connected to the channel 138 by a band 150.

Depending from the shelf is a right-angled member 152 (FIG. 6) having a bottom leg 154 which underlies the enlarged section 124 of the groove 122 and which terminates adjacent to the channel 138. Additionally, the leg 154 slopes downwardly toward the channel 138. Accordingly, when the target ball 20 rolls down the groove 122, it passes through the enlarged section 124 and rolls along the leg 154 of the right-angled member 15-2 onto the channel 138. As noted above, the counter-weights are adjusted so that normally the channel 138 is tilted slightly downnwardly. Accordingly, the target ball 20 will roll down the channel 138 toward the member 142. As the ball 20 rolls down the channel 138, its weight causes the channel to pivot about the shaft until, as the ball 20 reaches the end of the channel 138, the channel assumes the dotted line position shown in FIG. 3. Thus, the target ball 20 will pass and be guided through the collar member 142 onto the bowling surface 26. The member 142 prevents the further rolling of the target ball 20 as it leaves the channel 138. In this way, the positioning apparatus 18 is operable to always locate the target ball 20 in the same position on the bowling surface 26 during the play of the game. After the target ball 20 has been so located and is no longer overbalancing the

counter-weights

144 and 148, the counter-weights cause the channel 138 to return to its original position wherein it is spaced above the playing or bowling surface 26 out of the path of play and it is inclined slightly downwardly toward the surface.

It is an object of a game which may be played by utilizing the apparatus of the present invention to cause the target ball 20 and the bowling ball 22 to enter the pockets 52-60 in a preselected sequence on each throw of the bowling ball 22. More specifically, the object of the game is to knock the target ball 20 into the pockets 52-60 in ascending sequence on five successive throws of the bowling ball 22 while the bowling ball enters the pockets 60-52 in descending order during the same five throws of the bowling ball. This is accomplished by rolling the bowling ball 22 on the surface 26 so that it hits the target ball 20 at an angle such that the target ball 20 will enter the desired pocket while the bowling ball 22 enters the other desired pocket. It is obvious that on the third throw the payers object will be to knock both the target ball 20 and the bowling ball 22 into the same pocket 56.

It is believed that the operation and method of play of the bowling game apparatus will now be obvious. However, the operation of the present apparatus is summarized below.

When the target ball 20 enters one of the pockets 52- 60 of the plurality of pockets 16, the target ball passes through the aperture 64 associated with that pocket and rnto one of the compartments 84-92, as noted hereinabove. As the target ball 20 rolls through the compartment it operates one of the micro-switches 102 to cause the lamp 48 associated with that pocket designation to be illuminated.

However, the bowling ball 22 passes through the aperture 64 assocrated with the pocket that the bowling ball has entered, and through the bore 94 into one of the compartments 72-80. Accordingly, the bowling ball 22 operates one of the micro-switches 104, in the manner noted above, to illuminate that lamp 48 associated with the pocket designation corresponding to the pocket that the bowling ball has entered. The totalizer 50 may be utilized in conjunction with the

microswitches

102 and 104 to total the scores attained by the various players. That is, a number of points will be assigned for each correct placing of the target and bowling balls. Thus, the player with the highest score as registered by the totalizer 50 will be declared the winner.

As the target and

bowling balls

20 and 22 roll toward the junction of the

walls

44 and 40 due to the slope of the upper surface of the bottom wall 38 of the housing 14, the elevator 106 lifts the balls to the shelf 120. Accordingly the bowling ball 22 will pass through the groove 122 in the manner noted above and return to the top portion 134 of the track 24 in the manner hereinabove described. On the other hand, the target ball 20 will pass through the enlarged section 124 of the groove 122 onto the channel 138 and thereby be repositioned at the desired spot on the bowling surface 26. Once the target ball 20 has been relocated, the player may again roll the bowling ball 22 to again attempt to knock the target ball 20 into the desired pocket and, at the same time, cause the bowling ball 22 to enter its intended pocket. It is to be noted that even if the target ball is completely missed, the bowling ball 22 will still enter one of the plurality of pockets 16. Hence, the throw is not wasted, but a score is obtained on every play.

Accordingly, a relatively compact bowling game apparatus has been provided which is substantially simple in construction and yet which requires the player to exert and exercise extreme skill. Thus, it is a fascinating game that presents a challenge to each of the players.

FIG. 7 illustrates a modified embodiment of a positioning device for relocating the target ball 20 on the bowling surface 26 during the play of the game.

In this embodiment the shelf 68 is inclined forwardly downwardly so that the balls entering the compartments below the pockets 52-60 will roll forwardly on the shelf 68. In this case the aperture 94 is located adjacent the front of the shelf 68. Hence, the bowling ball 22 will again roll through the aperture or bores 94 in the shelf 68 and thereupon roll toward the junction of the rear and

side walls

40 and 44 and be returned by the return track 22 in the manner disclosed above. On the other hand, the target ball 20 will roll forwardly on the shelf 68 through an opening 35 and fall onto a forwardly downwardly inclined surface 156 which causes the ball 20 to continue to roll forwardly, in the direction of arrowhead 158, until the ball abuts a wall 160 depending from the bottom surface of the bowling surface 26.

Positioned adjacent the wall 160 is an elevator 162 having outwardly extending arms 163 thereon similar to the arms 116 on the elevator 106. The elevator 152 is adapted is adapted to be driven by a motor 154. The target ball 20 is adapted to be engaged by one of the arms 163 of the elevator 152 to elevate the ball 20 to the position indicated by the solid line (FIG. 7) thereby repositioning the ball 20 at the desired location.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein, it will become obvious that numerous omissions, changes and additions may be made in such embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A game apparatus comprising, in combination:

a bowling surface having a front end and a rear end,

a plurality of pockets at the rear end of said bowling surface,

a target ball adapted to be positioned at a preselected location on said bowling surface and of a size to be receivable in said pockets,

positioning means operable to position said target ball at said preselected location, and

ball moving means communicating with said plurality of pockets and said positioning means for effecting movement of said target ball from said plurality of pockets to said positioning means,

a bowling ball adapted to be rolled on said bowling surface and into engagement with said target ball to move said target ball into one of said plurality of pockets, said bowling ball being of a size to be receivable in said pockets,

a return track extending between and beyond said rear end and front end of said bowling surface to provide a path for the return of said bowling ball,

said target and bowling balls having different diameters,

said ball moving means being operable to cause movement of said bowling ball from said plurality of pockets to said return track and,

sorting means cooperating with said ball moving means and in the path of travel of said target and bowling balls, after the same are moved by said ball moving means, said sorting means including means for preventing movement of said target ball to said return track and said bowling ball to said positioning means.

2. Game apparatus as in claim 1, in which said target ball has a greater diameter than said bowling ball, said sorting means comprising a channel receiving said target and bowling balls from said moving means and having a groove therein, the width of said groove lbeing greater than the diameter of said bowling ball and smaller than the diameter of said target ball.

3. A bowling game apparatus comprising in combination:

a bowling surface having a front end and a rear end,

a plurality of pockets at the rear end of said bowling surface,

a target ball adapted to be positioned at a preselected location on said bowling surface and to be moved rearwardly into said plurality of pockets,

a bowling ball adapted to be rolled on said bowling surface to engage said target ball to cause the rearward movement of said target ball,

said bowling ball being further adapted to be received in one of said plurality of pockets,

said bowling ball having a different diameter than said target ball,

positioning means operable to position said target ball at said preselected location,

return means for returning said bowling ball to the front end of said bowling surface,

and ball moving means communicating with said plurality of pockets and said return and positioning means for moving said target and bowling balls from said plurality of pockets to said target and positioning means,

wherein said ball moving means includes differentiating means for separating said target ball and said bowling ball to traverse different paths, said differentiating means includes a rst plurality of compartments in one-to-one correspondence with said plurality of pockets,

and a second plurality of compartments in one-to-one correspondence with said first plurality of compartments,

means communicating with each of said plurality of pockets and respective ones of said first plurality of compartments to provide for the passage of said target ball and said bowling ball therethrough,

means communicating between each one of said first plurality of compartments and respective ones of said second plurality of compartments to provide for the passage of one out of said target and bowling balls therethrough,

a different one of a plurality of switches associated with each one of said first plurality of compartments and each one of said second plurality of compartments, said plurality of switches being responsive to the movement of a respective one of said target and bowling balls through the associated compartment to cause illumination of an associated indicia element.

4. A bowling game apparatus as in claim 3,

wherein said return means comprises a track extending along the side of the bowling surface,

said track having a sharply inclined portion adjacent to the rear of said bowling surface to provide said bowling ball with suflcient momentum to reach the front end of said bowling surface.

5. A bowling game apparatus as in claim 4,

wherein said ball moving means includes sorting means positioned in the path of movement of said target and bowling balls for allowing passage of said bowling ball therethrough to said return track and for preventing the passage of said target ball therethrough.

6. Game apparatus as in claim 5,

in which said target ball has a greater diameter than said bowling ball, said sorting means comprising a channel having a groove therein, the width of said groove being greater than the diameter of said bowling ball and smaller than the diameter of said target ball.

7. Game apparatus according to claim 8,

in which said positioning means comprises a ball guide pivotally mounted above said bowling surface and movable between a rst position wherein said ball guide is spaced above said bowling surface and a second position wherein said ball guide is positioned References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 904,400 11/ 1918 Brenneman 273-41 1,274,178 7/1918 McGowan. 1,647,451 11/ 1927 Kniebusch 273-41 2,495,473 l/l950 Peck 273-41 3,224,766 12/1965 Vincent 273-41 ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner M. R. PAGE, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. XR.