US3790167A

US3790167A - Control system and cushion mount for bowling machines

Info

Publication number: US3790167A
Application number: US00268394A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Lenhart; T Rickard
Original assignee: ZOT Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: ZOT Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1972-07-03
Filing date: 1972-07-03
Publication date: 1974-02-05
Anticipated expiration: 1991-02-05
Also published as: JPS4943736A; CA961522A; JPS5228054B2

Abstract

A mechanism for use on automatic pinsetter bowling machines to initiate and regulate the cyclic operations thereof and to better absorb the impact of bowling balls and pins directed against a pit cushion pivotally held in impact absorbing position by improved mounting components. The pressures in a dashpot cylinder on the pit cushion are changed at time of impact, and the pressure change is used to activate control circuits that may include time delay elements, solenoids, etc. for regulating cyclic machine operations, such as lane clearing, ball and pin retrieval, game scoring and similar functions.

Description

Y 0 United States Patent 1 91 1111 3,790,167

Lenhart et a1. Feb. 5, 1974 CONTROL SYSTEM AND CUSHION MOUNT 3,233,901 2/1966 Sandahl 213/53 x O BOWLING MACHINES 3,411,780 11/1968 Mellon 273/43 A [75] Inventors: Ronald A. Lenhart; Timothy W.

Rickard, both of Lakewood, Colo Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle 1 A Attorney, Agent, or Firm-C. B. Messenger [73] Assignee: Zot Manufacturing Company,

Lakewood, Colo. [22] Filed: July 3, 1972 ABSTRACT [21 1 Appl. No: 268,394 A mechanism for use on automatic pinsetter bowling machines to initiate and regulate the cyclic operations thereof and to better absorb the impact of bowling 2% g 273/43 273/53 2600/83 N balls and pins directed against a pit cushion pivotally l n held in impact absorbing position by improved mount- [581 Field ofsearc "b 83 N w g ing components. The pressures in a dashpot cylinder 2 on the pit cushion are changed at time of impact, and the pressure change is used to activate control circuits [56] References cued that may include time delay elements, solenoids, etc. UNITED STATES PATENTS 4 for regulating cyclic machine operations, such as lane 2941,803 6/1960 Daggett 273/43 R clearing, ball and pin retrieval, game scoring and simi- 3,248,110 4/1966 Webb 273/53 X lar functions. 3,545,754 12/1970 Lenhart..... 273/53 X 2,406,719 8/1946 Upson 200/83 N 11 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures TO SCORER PAIENTEU 74 SHEEI 1 OF 2 tmtOum Oh PATENTEUFEB sum SHEET 2 0F 2 CONTROL SYSTEM AND CUSHION MOUNT F OR BOWLING MACHINES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a pit cushion positioning and control mechanism which is inclusive of simplified mounting devices and ball and pin impact force absorbing components. Features of the invention are related to the previous disclosures and features of the following patents held by one of the inventors: U.S. Pats. No. 3,319,959; 3,545,753 and 3,545,754. The mechanism presented herein is also intended as a modification specifically adapted for use on Brunswick type automatic pinsetter machines of both Type A and Type A-2. A major distinction in the present invention involves the use of the pressure differentials created in a dashpot shock absorbing cylinder as a signal initiating device to control the operations of the bowling machines and/or of scoring mechanisms that may be used in conjunction therewith.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an improved pit cushion mounting system for pivotally supporting a pit cushion on the kickbacks or sidewalls of a bowling machine pit in position to receive and absorb ball and pin impact forces efficiently to thus eliminate damage experienced in connection with the use of the manufacturers original equipment. A dashpot cylinder having escape orifice regulating means is attached to the pit cushion for absorption of such impact forces. A pressure sensing element is provided that will be actuated by changes in the pressure within said dashpot cylinder. Actuation of the pressure sensing element is used to initiate and control the cyclic operations of the machine or alternately to initiate operation of scoring mechanisms used in conjunction therewith. Time delay components are incorporated for other operations as well as to prevent damage to the machine or other bowling equipment that may be coincident with premature raising of the pit cushion. In one form of the invention the system provides a substitute for previously troublesome mechanical linkage means that is used to release a shotgun mechanism or rake trip latch used in conjunction with lane rake operations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation showing this invention as used with a portion of the operative mechanisms of a bowling pinsetter machine,

F IG. 2 is a side elevation representing components of the invention,

FIG. 3 is an electrical schematic drawing illustrating separate embodiments of the invention, and

FIG. 4 is a side elevation showing a solenoid operator used in connection with shotgun rake release components of the original machine.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The principles of the present invention are adaptable for use in several different types of presently existing automatic bowling pinsetter machines either as originally provided by Brunswick or other manufacturers or as previously modified in accordance with the inventors earlier improvements or the improvements of others. Though the invention isadaptable for use in conjunction with machines of different design and operation, and even though several distinct operations may be accomplished in improved manner through use of the invention, the principles of such invention will first be discussed in connection with a specific installation. The components shown in FIGS. 1-4 are characteristic of the Brunswick A-2 type machines, but it is believed that a description of the invention as used in connection with this type of apparatus will also serve to introduce principles of the invention that are also adaptable for other installations.

In FIG. 1 some of the original components of an A-2 type mechanism are illustrated. Significant original parts include a rake lift cam 11, a crank arm housing 12 and a lane rake assembly 13, inclusive of the rake board 14, a support arm 16 and rake lift control rod 17. The rod 17 is connected to one arm of a pivoting crank 18 or V levers, while another arm is joined by a cushion link rod 19 to a triangular plate follower 21. This plate in the original installation is connected to the pit cushion so that when the support arm 16 for the rake 14 drops the pit cushion will be elevated. The operational dropping of the rake is still controlled by a rake latch or shotgun mechanism 22 which locks a rake trip shaft 23 in its extended configuration in order to facilitate return of the rake to its elevated position when its cyclic operation has been completed. A rake cam follower 24 is engaged by the lobe 26 of the cam 11 to accomplish such rake return operations. When the rake is returned to its elevated position, the pit cushion will be lowered into operative ball receiving position in the pit 28 of the bowling machine apparatus. Other conventional elements include the compression spring assembly in its spring guide tube 29, a pit curtain 30, and the rake return sweep hook mechanism 31.

Elements that are changed in keeping with this invention are also presented in the FIG. 1 illustration. The pit cushion 32 is now supported for pivotal movement by a ball joint pivot 33 that is itself held in position on the pit kickbacks or sidewalls 34 by a mounting frame 36. A dashpot cylinder 37 is disposed behind the pit cushion and connected thereto in position below the pivot provided by the ball joint 33 in order to absorb ball and pin impact forces.

Counterweight assemblies 38 disposed at the ends of the pit cushion interconnect the previously provided pit cushion to the ball joint pivots 33. By reason of the positioning of the pivot and the forwardly extending weight 40 of the counterweight assembly 38, the pit cushion is held at a rearwardly inclined angle in order to more efficiently receive and absorb impact forces directed against the pit cushion by a ball 41. In place of the rigid rod previously used to interconnect the plates 21 and the pit cushion 32, a cable 42 is used. A spring 43 is connected to the cable 42 to provide an overtravel capability. Two dashpot cylinders 37 which operate as shock absorbers are mounted on the rear wall 44 of the bowling machine apparatus through use of support brackets 46 having forked standards 47 and through pins 48. An adjustment is provided whereby the effective length of the cylinders 37 may be changed through use of threaded shafts 49 and the shaft receiving clevises 51. A controlled escape orifice is provided for the dashpot cylinder 37 by the bleed element 52, which incorporates an adjusting element 53 for regulating the rate of air escape. A separate elbow connection 54 also communicates with the air chamber within the cylinder 37, and it likewise provides an escape passage for the air of increased pressure that may accumulate within the dashpot 37.

The original pit cushions are used in this A-2 type configuration, but the suspension is changed through use of the end counterweights 38 and the associated pivots 33. The extra forwardly disposed weight 40 and the pivot positions cooperate together-with length adjustments for the dash-pots 37 to hold the pit cushions 32 in an at rest position that is forwardly inclined from the rear of the bowling machine. Preferably the forward face 56 of the pit cushion is also slightly relieved along its lower extent so that the combined positioning and shape of the cushion 32 will be effective to receive and absorb the impact from a bowling ball and to redirect the ball downwardly onto the pit conveyor carpet disposed at the bottom of the pit 28. As soon as a ball or bowling pin impacts against the cushion 32, the cushion will be moved by such impact about its suspension pivots 33, and the cylinder 37 will be at least slightly compressed. When the barrel of the cylinder 37 is moved rearwardly, air will be compressed within the dashpot cylinder. Even a slight compression of such air will permit air to be expelled from the bleed orifice 52 while additional air is expelled through the elbow connector 54. It is the air which escapes through the elbow connector 54 that is used to initiate cyclic operations of the bowling machine itself.

A tube 57 is connected to the elbow 54 to deliver any flow ofair to a control box 58. As seen in FIG. 2, an air thimble 61 of Tee fitting 59 extends through control panel 58 to facilitate attachment of the tube 57. Within the control panel 58 the Tee is connected by a short flex hose 62 to an air switch 63. The interior of air switch 63 is divided by a diaphragm 64, and a flexible lead 66 interconnects a contact 67 on such diaphragm and a terminal post 68 exteriorly of the air switch. A contact arm 69 on the opposite side of the diaphragm 64 is connected to the terminal 71 in such manner that any movement of the diaphragm 64 due to an increase in air pressure will close an electrical circuit from the post 68 to the terminal 71. The second chamber of the air switch may be open to atmospheric pressure through the port 72.

The particular type of air switch that is best used is quite sensitive, and it may provide a closed circuit when less than an inch of water pressure differential is applied. Necessarily, the increase in pressure within the dashpot cylinder 37 when a fast ball impacts against the pit cushion might be substantially in excess of such minimum pressure. Accordingly, a second opening 73 of the Tee S9 is itself exhausted to atmosphere either within or outside the control panel 58. The presence of this additional atmospheric exhaust prevents any damage to the air switch when substantial impacts are being absorbed by the pit cushion 32 and cylinders 37.

Actually the range of pressure differentials that must be accommodated by the air switch are substantial considering the different impact values that are encountered. In order to provide adequate machine control, the machine must be cycled at any time that a bowling ball is received in the pit. Accordingly, there must be a sufficient increment in pressure resulting from the movement of a ball backwardly against the pit cushion due simply to the motion imparted to the ball by the pit conveyor carpet used in such pit. With the described system even a light touching between the ball and the pit cushion will cause a signal to be delivered by the tube 57 that is adequate to close the air switch to thereafter initiate operation of the bowling machine. Similarly, the machine operations can be initiated when the pit cushion is struck by a pin rather than by the bowling ball itself.

An important feature of the present invention is embodied in the fact that this system incorporates control features that eliminate previously experienced difficulties in connection with the operation of the A-2 type machine. The A-2 machine has a mechanical linkage system having a plurality of rods and levers with as many as a dozen involved pivots in a system interconnecting the pit cushion and the rake latch of the rake latch or shotgun mechanism 22. This mechanical linkage arrangement must be carefully adjusted to assure release of the rake when a ball comes into contact with the pit cushion. If adjusted to take care of a minimum ball contact situation, machine operations are often actuated by a pin flying ahead of the rolled ball itself. When a pin strikes the cushion ahead of the ball, the pit cushion can be raised to an out-of-way position by the dropping rake before the ball is impacted thereagainst. Under such circumstances the ball continues rearwardly to strike against the ball lift rods of the ball and pin elevating mechanism. This undesirable result leads to excessive wearing'and damage of the ball lift rods, and it can, of course, cause damage to the surface of the ball itself. In the present system the same or even improved sensitivity is required so that the machine cycle operations can be initiated upon even a slight contact and movement of the pit cushion 32.

An improvement results, however, where the mechanical linkage system is eliminated and an air initiated system or operation is used. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the initial air signal conveyed by the tube 57 is changed by the air switch to an electrical impulse. This impulse is next fed to a time delay module 74 so that the rake will not be released, and the pit cushion, accordingly, will not be raised until the expiration of a desired time interval. For the A-2 type configuration shown, a 500 millisecond delay has been found to be adequate to assure the elimination of the pass-through ball situation. With the present modifications incorporated,'a pin moving ahead of the ball and impacting against the cushion cannot cause the cushion to be raised until expiration of the module controlled time delay. With a half second delay the cushion will still be in place when a following ball reaches the cushion.

The major components of the preferred A-2 machine control embodiment are shown in FIG. 1. A 24-volt AC power supply taken from the provided pinsetter control box 75 is delivered by the cable 76 to the control panel 58. This power is connected to the air switch 63, while an output signal from the time delay module 74 is conveyed by the cable 77 back to the pinsetter control box 75, and thence by use of the cable 78 to a solenoid assembly 79 disposed on a C lever or hook 80 of the rake control unit. Whenever an air signal is delivered by the tube 57 to the control panel 58, a corresponding signal will be transmitted after the time delay interval by the

cables

77 and 78 to actuate the solenoid 86. Actuation of the colenoid releases the rake trip latch 81 of the shotgun assembly 22 to drop the rake and to thus actuate the cyclic operations of the bowling pin spotting machine.

The actual circuit for the control panel 58 is presented in.FlG. 3, while FIG. 4 shows the positioning of the solenoid assembly on the C" lever or hook 80 for releasing the rake trip latch assembly 81 of the shotgun mechanism 22. In FIG. 3 24-volt AC power is delivered to the input 82. This power is then transmitted to the contacts of the air switch 63 and to a relay 83. When the relay 83 is thereafter actuated by the closing of the air switch contacts, power passes through reset delay 84 to a rectifier 85. A 24-volt DC output derived from rectifier 85 is transmitted to the time delay module 74. After expiration of the desired delay period as regulated by the resistances of the time delay module, a circuit will be completed to the output and thence to the solenoid 86. When the coils of the solenoid 86 are energized, the armature and shaft 87 will be retracted and lever bar 88 which moves pivotally about a mount bolt 89 for the solenoid assembly 79 will be brought into contact with the rake trip roller 91 of the latch assembly 81. When the end 92 of the bar 88 is pulled into contact with roller 91, the latch assembly 81 will be rotated about its mounting pivot 93, and actuator roller 94 will thus be moved to release rake trip shaft 23 so that the shotgun mechanism will be collapsed.

With movement of the rake trip shaft 23 into the receptacle 96, the C lever of hook 80 will be free to rotate about rake lift shaft 97 in the direction indicated by the arrow 98. This rotation allows the rake support arm 16 to fall, and the pit cushion 32 will then be raised by the cable 42. Subsequently, when the rake arms 16 are moved to the alternate position illustrated to clear the lanes by the action of the cam powered operation of the machine, the spring 43 will be extended. The extension of the spring 43 avoids damage to the pit cushion assembly while still permitting full alley sweeping travel for the rake arms and rake. By reason of further cooperative action of the cam powered operations, the shotgun assembly is similarly extended to such an extent that rake trip shaft 23 is withdrawn from the receptacle 96, and the latch assembly 81 is again engaged to thereafter hold the mechanism in its extended relationship whereby subsequent action of the cam follower 24 and the shotgun mechanism will again bring the C lever 80 to its at-rest position as shown in FIG. 4. When it returns to this position, the alley will have been cleared, and all pins will have been replaced and the machine will be reset for use by a next bowling participant.

The reset delay 84 is used in the electrical schematic diagram presented to avoid repeated actuations of the solenoid as the bowling ball and each successive pin may move into contact with the pit cushion. Reset delay 84 provides a minor time delay which serves to deactivate the remaining circuits to accomplish this beneficial result. A similar but improved operation is provided by an alternate arrangement that will be best understood in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4. In FIG. 4 a gravity operated switch 99 is positioned on the mounting frame for the solenoid assembly 79. In its atrest position as illustrated the switch will be closed. In an alternate position, when the C lever 80 has been rotated to drop the rake, this switch 99 will be opened. If the switch 99 is connected into the circuits of FIG. 3 in substitution for reset delay 84 to either open or close one power leg thereof, the entire solenoid tripping functions of the control panel 58 will be interrupted as long as the C" lever or hook 80 is rotated to its alternate position. With this arrangement initial actuation of the solenoid 86 releases the shotgun mechanism, the C lever is rotated, and thereafter the solenoid 86 will not be repeatedly actuated no matter what forces are subsequently exerted against the pit cushion 32.

In useage of the device it has been found that false operational cycles have on infrequent occasion been initiated when a bowling pin would fall out of the pin elevating mechanism to hit the pit cushion. Deactivation of the solenoid for the full period of rake travel effectively eliminates all such problems. The gravity switch requirements are most simply provided by a mercury switch positioned as shown by the switch 99. Such a switch will interrupt the solenoid operations for a substantial period of time as distinguished from the limited period of disruption provided by the reset delay 84.

The bleed air tube, air switch and time delay combination can be used for additional beneficial purposes in connection with the operation of pinsetter machines. As indicated in FIG. 1, the output signal derived from the control panel 58 that is returned to pinsetter control box can be used to directly actuate automatic scoring apparatus. In the illustration of this beneficial useage, an auxiliary cable 102 is shown for interconnecting the pinsetter control box 75 and any air switch derived signal delivered to box 75 to an automatic scorer installation 101. With this arrangement a signal from the same type of electrical components shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 can be passed to an automatic scorer in place of being delivered to the solenoid 86. Actually, where automatic scorers are used on a machine together with the previously described solenoid actuated rake release components, duplicate electrical circuits of the FIG. 3 type can be interconnected to the air switch components.

As an alternate arrangement, an electrical circuit of the FIG. 3 type can be used to actuate a solenoid positioned to engage the clutch and drive mechanisms of a pinsetter machine whereby the cyclic operations of the machine are initiated. When the air switch and electrical circuit combination is used for this purpose, any automatic scorer components provided by the initial machine installation can be activated in accordance with operations of the originally provided equipment. In other words, the new combination will be used to initiate the cyclic operations of the machine without the necessity for chainging the procedural or time sequenced individual operations within the original machine cycle. Where a pressure differential sensitive switch is used in the initiation of such cyclic operations, the described electrical circuits can also be used to regulate the total elapsed time delay that is normally required between the period of ball impact and subsequent pin sweeping operations to comply with bowling requirements with respect to the allowed period for the dropping of wobbling pins. In similar manner the auxiliary time delay components of the described system can be used to compensate for and to establish a proper elapsed time period for the initiation of automatic scorer tabulations. The particular circuits and arrangements shown are, accordingly, quite adaptable for cooperative use with the time delay characteristics of a pinsetter machine installation or of other components already incorporated therein to provide an efficient and accurate control of pinsetter machine and cyclic operations. In order to adequately serve such separate time delay requirements, different value resistors may be used in the time delay module 74, or standardized circuits inclusive of variable resistors can be used to selectively obtain'the desired time delay intervals.

The same components initially described can also be used to initiate the cyclic operations of the Brunswick Type A machines. When used on this earlier type of pinsetter mechanism the air impulse from a dashpot cylinder connected to the pit cushion will be used to activate an air switch for the release of an electrical signal that is to be interconnected directly in the cycle solenoid circuits initially provided by the Brunswick Type A machines. While time delay components of the type described in connection with FIGS. 2 and 3 may be utilized, it is also possible to use the time delay circuits already provided in the original control system for such machines. Usually, however, the originally provided time delay circuits are interconnected to provide an elapsed time period for only the first ball cycle operations of the machine, and it could still be desirable to provide the time delay module 74 herein illustrated and described to avoid raising of the pit cushion when it is first touched by a flying pin and before the ball itself is received and stopped by the pit cushion. Interconnection of this signal system into the cycle solenoid circuits need not disrupt normal useage of the circuit by bowling participants who wish to reset or correct operations of the machine from their participant position adjacent the ball return rack.

Where the Brunswick Type A machines have already been modified to use the pit cushion mounting systems heretofore developed by one of the present inventors and as embodied in the mentioned previous patents, the necessary air cylinders will already be provided by the modified installations. For such modified machines, the air bleed tube and air switch combination will be substituted for the various mechanical cycle initiating apparatus that was installed in substitution for the Brunswick provided mechanical type cycle initiating apparatus.

We claim:

1. A signal system for selectively initiating pinsetter bowling machine operations such as the cushion raising, automatic scorer and/or the cyclic pin clearing and setting operations thereof comprising a movably mounted pit cushion for said machine positioned for the reception of bowling balls and pins impacted thereagainst, a dashpot cylinder engaged to said pit cushion for absorbing the impact of balls and pins directed against said cushion whereby fluid pressures within said dashpot are changed with each impact, a switch element sensitive to fluid pressure differentials for the initiation of signals in response to said impacts, an auxiliary conduit communicating with a side of said dashpot subject to changed pressure influences by ball and pin impacts and with said pressure differential switch element whereby said switch is actuated by pressure differentials in said dashpot, a signal transmitting system connected to said pressure differential switch for the delivery of an operational signal to a bowling machine component for the actuation thereof, a time delay component for said signal transmitting system whereby an established time period is expended between reception of said pressure differential switch signal and the delivery of an operational signal to said bowling machine component, and a reset delay component in the signal transmitting system for interruption of the circuits thereof after an initial operational signal has been transmitted to said bowling machine component.

2. Structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pinsetter bowling machine is inclusive of lane rake elements, such as a rake board, support arms therefor and rake latch components inclusiveof a latch assembly for holding said rake board in elevated position, and further comprising a solenoid positioned adjacent said latch assembly and interconnected to said signal transmitting system whereby said solenoid is actuated by said operational signal for the release of said latch assembly.

3. The mechanism as set forth in claim 2 wherein said reset delay is a gravity operated switch, said gravity operated switch being positioned on said lane rake elements for movement therewith to on and off positions as its associated lane rake element is moved to its alternate out-of-use or in-use positions.

4. The mechanism as set forth in claim 3 wherein the pinsetter bowling machine is inclusive of a rotatable rake lift shaft with said gravity operated switch being moved to on and off positions as said rake lift shaft is rotated.

5. The mechanism as set forth in claim 4 wherein said gravity operated switch is a mercury switch with the circuits therethrough closed when the lane rake elements are in raised position and open when the lane rake elements are in lowered position.

6. Structure as set forth in claim 2 and further comprising linkage mechanisms interconnecting said rake elements and pit cushion for conjoint movement when the rake is lowered whereby said pit cushion is raised when the rake drops.

7. Structure as set forth in claim 6 and further comprising non-moving pivot mounts for said pit cushion whereby the pit cushion moves rotatably with respect to said mounts and pinsetter, and an elastic element for the linkage mechanism interconnecting said rake elements and pit cushion whereby said pit cushion is raised pivotally about said pivot when said rake drops.

8. Structure as set forth in claim 7 wherein the movement for said linkage mechanism is in excess of the movement pattern required for said pit cushion and wherein said elastic element is inclusive of a cable and spring combination to compensate for overtravel.

9. Structure as set forth in claim 8 wherein said pinsetter bowling machine components are inclusive of a pivotally mounted triangle plate connected to said linkage mechanism and wherein said elastic element interconnects said triangle plate and pit cushion.

10. Structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said dashpot installation is an air cylinder and further comprising an orifice passage exhausting to atmosphere from the same side of said dashpot as said auxiliary conduit, regulator means for changing the flow through said orifice to regulate the flow rate for said dashpot, and atmospheric exhaust means intercommunicating with the flow passage through said auxiliary conduit at a position ahead of the point of transmission to said pressure differential switch for the protection of said switch from excess pressure differential influences resulting from heavy ball impacts.

11. Structure as set forth in claim 10 wherein said atmospheric exhaust means is a Tee fitting connected in saidauxiliary conduit ahead of said pressure differential switch and wherein the flow passage of said Tee communicating to atmosphere is of size as large as the flow passage to said switch.

Claims

2. Structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pinsetter bowling machine is inclusive of lane rake elements, such as a rake board, support arms therefor and rake latch components inclusive of a latch assembly for holding said rake board in elevated position, and further comprising a solenoid positioned adjacent said latch assembly and interconnected to said signal transmitting system whereby said solenoid is actuated by said operational signal for the release of said latch assembly.

11. Structure as set forth in claim 10 wherein said atmospheric exhaust means is a Tee fitting connected in said auxiliary conduit ahead of said pressure differential switch and wherein the flow passage of said Tee communicating to atmosphere is of size as large as the flow passage to said switch.