US3753561A - Cluster ball rack with ball director - Google Patents

Cluster ball rack with ball director Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3753561A
US3753561A US00184669A US3753561DA US3753561A US 3753561 A US3753561 A US 3753561A US 00184669 A US00184669 A US 00184669A US 3753561D A US3753561D A US 3753561DA US 3753561 A US3753561 A US 3753561A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
ball
track
flip
rack
vane
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00184669A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
R Szymanski
P Murphy
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Brunswick Corp
Original Assignee
Brunswick Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Brunswick Corp filed Critical Brunswick Corp
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3753561A publication Critical patent/US3753561A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63D—BOWLING GAMES, e.g. SKITTLES, BOCCE OR BOWLS; INSTALLATIONS THEREFOR; BAGATELLE OR SIMILAR GAMES; BILLIARDS
    • A63D5/00—Accessories for bowling-alleys or table alleys
    • A63D5/02—Apparatus for trapping or lifting the balls; Separate devices for returning the balls
    • A63D5/023—Separate devices for returning the balls

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT is a cluster-type bowling ball return rack having a bowler identification panel mounted in an elevated position above the center island thereof, and a ball directing vane directing returning balls to the side of the cluster rack corresponding to the lane upon which the ball was bowled.
  • a control mechanism for the vane includes timer and operating circuits employing RS flip-flop memory latches in conjunction with programmed unijunction transistors to swing the vane against spring pressure.
  • the invention is in the field of equipment for returning a bowling ball from the pit end of a bowling lane to the bowler at the approach end of the lane, and positioning it for pick up by the bowler. More specifically the invention is an electro-mechanical device for directing a returning bowling ball to a selected side of a cluster-type ball return rack having a bowler identification panel for an electronic scoring device mounted in the center thereof.
  • the invention solves this problem with a novel electro-mechanical device which directs a returning ball to the side of the cluster rack adjacent the lane upon which the ball was bowled. While a ball directing system is described in U. S. Pat. No. 3,099,446 to R. V. Stegman et al., the instant invention represents a novel solution to a new problem and through its simplicity and economy represents a substantial advance in the art of ball handling.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide means for directing a returning bowling ball to the side of a cluster rack and identification panel adjacent the lane upon which it was bowled.
  • the invention includes means for electrically sensing when a bail departs the pit area of a selected one of a pair of adjacent bowling lanes served by a single cluster ball rack, means for timing the travel of the ball from the pit area to and through a ball lift at the approach end of the land, and means for positioning a ball directing vane on the cluster rack adjoining the ball lift for a discrete period of time, coinciding with he exit of the ball from the ball lift, so as to direct a ball detected by the aforesaid sensing means to a selected side of the cluster rack.
  • a first time delay circuit measures the time from departure of the ball from the pit area until it is delivered to the cluster rack by the ball lift, and then activates a second circuit which actuates the vane positioning means for an interval of time sufficient only to result in the direction of the detected ball to the selected side of the cluster rack.
  • a primary advantage of the invention is the provision of a bowler identification panel in a position most convenient to the bowler and most conducive to inducing the bowler to identify himself to the electronic scoring device, which he must do before his score can be recorded.
  • Another advantage of the invention is its simplicity in solving the problem of selectively directing a returning ball with a minimum of equipment and consequently at a substantial savings in cost. These savings are achieved principally by confining ball detection to a single lane of a pair, and by limiting active ball control to balls returning from that lane. A further advantage is achieved through the reliability of the solid state circuitry employed, and the mechanical features of the ball directing vane.
  • FIG. 1 is a top view of a cluster ball rack with an identification panel and ball director of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a side elevation of a cluster ball rack of the invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a bowling ball detection and direction system of the invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a partially cut away side view of a portion of a return rack of the invention illustrating the installation of a ball directing vane of the invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic of the control and timing mechanism of the invention.
  • a ball lift 1 discharges a returning bowling ball 2 onto the neck portion 3 of a modified tear drop-shaped track a of a cluster bowling ball return rack 5.
  • a ball directing vane or flipper 6 is positioned at the junction of the neck 3 with the left and right sides of the tear drop track 1.
  • the vane 6 is pivotally mounted so that it may be swung left and right about a vertical axis to connect the neck track section 3 with either the left H0 or right 11 side of the cluster track 4.
  • the ball track 4 With the free end 12 of the vane 6 positioned to the left as viewed from above, the ball track 4 will be completed to the right side 11 of the cluster rack 5; similarly, with the free end 7 of the vane 6 positioned to the right, the ball track a will be completed to the left side 10 of the rack 5.
  • the vane 6 is spring loaded to the right so that absent any control action all returning balls would be directed to the left side 10 of the rack 5.
  • the bowler identification panel 12 is mounted upon a pedestal 13 extending upwardly from the island area of the cluster rack surrounded by the ball track 4.
  • the pedestal 13 fairs into the rack structure and extends upwardly about two feet from the track level tapering toward the top to the size of the bowler identification panel 12 mounted therein.
  • the entire structure may be made of fiberglass by means well known to the art. It is apparent from the figures that it is difficult for a bowler to reach across the rack because of the presence of the pedestal 13.
  • a ball 2 being returned by the pinsetter mechanism from the right lane will physically trip a switch 16 suitably positioned on a branch 17 of track leading from the right lane onto the main return track 18. Tripping of the switch 16 triggers an electronic timer described below.
  • the ball 2 continues through a ball accelerator 19, down the track 18 at a precisely known speed, up through the ball lift 20 and is discharged onto the neck 3 of the ball rack 5.
  • the free end 7 of the vane 6 is swung to the left for a period of 1.2 seconds, completing the track to the right side 11 of the rack just long enough to allow the ball 2, alone, returning from the right lane, to proceed to the right side 11 of the rack 5. Because the vane 6 is held to the left for such a short period, a ball from the left lane returning just ahead of or just behind the ball 2 will be deflected left.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates the mechanical features of the ball directing mechanism.
  • the vane 6 is rigidly attached to a pin 22 which rides within and is maintained in the vertical position by a journal 23 mounted beneath the top 24 of the rack 5.
  • Attached to the lower end of the pin 22 is a horizontal lever arm 26- which extends to the right of the longitudinal axis of the vane 6 as viewed from above.
  • the lever arm 26 is attached to the actuating rod 28 of a solenoid 29.
  • the solenoid 29 is securely affixed beneath the top 24 of the rack 5 in the area of the neck 3 of the ball track 4.
  • a compression spring 30 acting between the solenoid 29 and a bushing 31 attached to the lever arm 26 repulses the lever arm 26 from the solenoid 29 applying clockwise torque to the pin 22 urging the vane 6 to the right.
  • Actuation of the solenoid 29 by the control circuit draws the lever arm 26 toward the solenoid 29 against the action of the spring 30, rotating pin 22 counterclockwise andmoving the vane 6 to its left. Deactivation of the solenoid 29 permits the spring 30 to rotate pin 22 clockwise returning the vane 6 to its right or rest position.
  • control card for the ball directing vane 6 includes two memory latches (RS flipflops) 32 and 33, and two associated time delay circuits 34 and 35, respectively.
  • a solid state amplifier 36 drives the vane actuating solenoid 29.
  • a cycle of operation begins when a ball exits from the right lane and actuates the ball detection switch 16.
  • the closing of switch 16 sets the first flip-flop 32 and initiates the first RC time delay circuit 34 Rl-Cl which times the travel of the ball from the pit up to the vane 6.
  • the resistor R1 is variable to permit adjustment of the time delay circuit to a particular system.
  • the programmed unijunction transistors are particularly suited to time delay circuits of the type just described as it is possible to achieve a relatively precise time delay using off-the-shelf parts without selection or adjustment.
  • This accuracy results from the trigger reference point being a percentage of circuit voltage which may be set in the usual manner by low cost programming resistors with accuracy of :5 percent.
  • the capacitor C1 and C2 are the greatest variables, but with their $10 percent tantulum commercial tolerance a timer with better :20 percent tolerance is still achieved with a simple assembly of non-specialized parts.
  • a cluster type bowling ball return rack comprising a supporting body
  • said track substantially surrounding an island portion of said body, and connecting to a ball return track
  • pedestal means extending upwardly from the island portion of said body for supporting a bowler identification panel
  • means for directing a bowling ball entering said ball storage track to a preselected side of said pedestal including a ball detection switch activated by a ball returned from a pinsetter mechanism;
  • a first RC time delay circuit energized by the first flip-flop memory latch and having a time delay approximately equal to the time required for the ball to travel from the switch to the pedestal means;
  • a ball diverter vane in the ball storage track linked to the solenoid and movable to deflect a returning ball to a selected branch of the ball storage track.
  • said ball track includes a Y-shaped junction where the two sides of said ball storage track join
  • said ball deflecting means comprises a vane pivotally mounted at said junction and capable of storage track.
  • pivoting means comprises means for biasing said length of rail to complete said return track to one side of said ball storage track

Landscapes

  • Pinball Game Machines (AREA)
  • Warehouses Or Storage Devices (AREA)
US00184669A 1971-09-29 1971-09-29 Cluster ball rack with ball director Expired - Lifetime US3753561A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US18466971A 1971-09-29 1971-09-29

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3753561A true US3753561A (en) 1973-08-21

Family

ID=22677866

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00184669A Expired - Lifetime US3753561A (en) 1971-09-29 1971-09-29 Cluster ball rack with ball director

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US3753561A (ja)
JP (1) JPS4842835A (ja)
CA (1) CA964684A (ja)
DE (1) DE2245158A1 (ja)
FR (1) FR2250285A5 (ja)
GB (1) GB1359774A (ja)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH02300374A (ja) * 1988-12-19 1990-12-12 Kanebo Ltd レーヨン縮緬又は楊柳織物の製造法

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3099446A (en) * 1959-10-13 1963-07-30 Brunswick Corp Control system for bowling balls and the like
US3215433A (en) * 1962-06-14 1965-11-02 Elmer R Thomsen Control system for returning bowled balls to selected racks
US3260349A (en) * 1965-10-04 1966-07-12 Rapids Standard Co Inc Coded carrier conveyor system
US3339922A (en) * 1964-08-25 1967-09-05 Raphael W Miller Ball separator for pocket billiards
US3484107A (en) * 1965-10-20 1969-12-16 Brunswick Corp Multiple alley bowling game scoring system including lane sequencer

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3436078A (en) * 1966-11-25 1969-04-01 Ralph Grimes Rack for bowling balls and the like

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3099446A (en) * 1959-10-13 1963-07-30 Brunswick Corp Control system for bowling balls and the like
US3215433A (en) * 1962-06-14 1965-11-02 Elmer R Thomsen Control system for returning bowled balls to selected racks
US3339922A (en) * 1964-08-25 1967-09-05 Raphael W Miller Ball separator for pocket billiards
US3260349A (en) * 1965-10-04 1966-07-12 Rapids Standard Co Inc Coded carrier conveyor system
US3484107A (en) * 1965-10-20 1969-12-16 Brunswick Corp Multiple alley bowling game scoring system including lane sequencer

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2250285A5 (ja) 1975-05-30
CA964684A (en) 1975-03-18
GB1359774A (en) 1974-07-10
JPS4842835A (ja) 1973-06-21
DE2245158A1 (de) 1973-04-26

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US1911436A (en) Apparatus for use in bowling
US2019607A (en) Automatic ball return for bowling alleys
US3753561A (en) Cluster ball rack with ball director
US3009268A (en) Bowling training alley
US2931656A (en) Velocity controlled game circuit
US3105684A (en) Automatic apparatus for segregating returned bowling balls
US3099446A (en) Control system for bowling balls and the like
US3082000A (en) Cuing device for bowlers
US3044778A (en) Coin-operated game
US2601552A (en) Pivoted target device
US3215433A (en) Control system for returning bowled balls to selected racks
US1512739A (en) Amusement apparatus
US2248316A (en) Bowling game
US2095513A (en) Bowling alley amusement apparatus
US2222403A (en) Ball rolling game
US2994968A (en) Bowling instruction device
US2479707A (en) Free-play control circuit for amusement games
US1329952A (en) Toy bowling-alley
US2964317A (en) Bowling pin spotting apparatus
US3309085A (en) Collapsible rail section for directing bowling ball into storage pocket
US3470553A (en) System for detecting potential failure in bowling pin-setting machines
US2650095A (en) Foul detecting device
US3304087A (en) Ball retarder
US2316991A (en) Bowling alley
US2003356A (en) Game apparatus