US930353A

US930353A - Tenpin-spotting machine.

Info

Publication number: US930353A
Application number: US49528709A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frank W Coffin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1909-05-11
Filing date: 1909-05-11
Publication date: 1909-08-10
Anticipated expiration: 1926-08-10

Description

F. W. COPFIN. TENPIN SIPOTTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 11, 1909.

@lal

F. W. GOFFIN.

TENPIN SPOTTING- MACHINE.

APPLICATION PILED'MAY 11. 1909.

Patented Aug. 10, 1909.

ZSHEETS-SHBBT 2.

vvil'ueaaea To all whom it may concern:

for settingten-pins'or any of the different view of the machine showin PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK w. ooFF-IN, 0F SLATINGTQN, PENNSYLVANIA. 'rEnPm-sroh'rmamen-ma.

no. ceases;

\ Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 10,1909.

Application mec m 11, 1909. ser al No. 495,287.

Be itknown that I, FRANK W. Gorrm, of Slatington, in the county of Lehigh and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ten.

pin-ipotting Machines; and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear,- and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

This invention as a novel machine for setting up ten-pins, and the like, in bowling alleys, and is semi-automatic in operation, the attendant simply having to pickup the p-ms and put them in the machine'a-ndthen release the latter, whereupon the machine places the. pins, in position upon the alley and moves out of the way. It can be used games played with'such pins; .suchas duckplns, and candle-pins. 4

I will now describe the machine as illus trated in the accompanying drawings which show one practical embodiment of the invention; and will then set forth the essen' 1 tial features and combinations of parts for which protection is desired, in the claims. In sa1d draw1ngsF- 1gure 1 is a front pin-recelvmg position 1n f lines, and 1n 7 pin-setting position in dotted-lines. Fig.- 2

1s a rear view'of Fig. 1 Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section on line 3-3, Fig. 1, showing the machine in pin-setting position in full lines, and in pin-receiving position in dotted lines. Fig. 4 is adetail vertical section of the machine in raised or pin-receivin position. Fig. 5 is an-enlargeddetail p in view of the bottom-plate shifting devices. Fig. 6 is a detail view ofone ofthe pin-holders, with a removable tube therein.

. I Themachine, as shown in the drawings,

comprises a trim lar frame which is preferably formedc side and end bars 1, arrgnged vertically edgewise and transverse banal to which are secured pin-receiversor cylinders 1 adapted toreceive the ten-pins, T.The cylinders will ordinarily be made large enoughto. receive the largest sized regplntiomtempins, and in order to receive smaller pins removable tubes 1 can be arranged tobeslid-intothe cylinders 1" as indi- 'egtedtiniFig. -6-to receive theismaller sized p ns-,suchjasduckepins or candle ins. The

rams is provided with a trianguar bottom it in raised or 1 by having slots 2 engaged by headed pins 1 fast to the bars 1. The p ate 2 is provided with apertures. 2 adapted to register with the lower ends of the cylinders 1 when the frame is in lowermost position, and when the'f ame is raised the gravi y into the position lndicated in" Figs. '1 and 4 so that it blocks the lower ends of the cylinders and prevents the pins dropping therefrom or .therethrough until the frame is lowered to setting position, at which time plate 2 is moved forward by devices hereinafter described, so that the holes 2 register with cylinders 1 and permit the pins to pass out onto the floor of the alle A.

The rear bar 1 of the frame is hinge as shown at 3*, to the lower ends of vertically movable bars 3, one at each side of the frame, and which bars are slidably connected by loops 3 to vertical rods 3 which are rigidly fastened to uprights F, one at each'side of the alley; said uprights being connected at top by a cross piece I".

raisedosition, by means of chains or ropes 4 attac ed to the side bars of the frame ad- 'acentthe hinge and extending up over pul leys- 4 attached to the top bar f of the frame and having weights 4* connected to the free ends of the cords, said weights being suflicient to slightlyqnore than counterbalance the weight of the frame 1, and the bars 3, when the pins are not in the frame. When catches 5 pivoted to the top bar F of the frame and engaging beveled 1 portions or teeth 3 attached to the bars 3, as shown in' of the frame; but the descent of the frame disengages it fromthecatch 1 and allows it to tilt forwardly as, it descends. To prevent the frame tilting forwardly too rapidly as plate 2 drops by The frame is raised, and normally held in the. frame is raised by the weights, it islocked in elevated position by means of Fig. 2; these teeth may be extensions of the H frame and engaging a plate 1 on the apex plate 2 which is slidably connected to the bars it descends I provide cushioning devices therefor consisting of jointed levers composed of

members

6, 6 which are pivoted together at 6; the other end of link 6 is piv- 5 oted to the adjacent bar at 6, and the other end of lever 6 is pivoted at 6 to an arm or bracket 6 attached to the side bars of the frame.

A contractile helical spring 7 is attached 10 to bar 3, above each link 6, to a loop 7 slidably engaging such link 6. When the frame is in raised position the spring 7 is contracted and the slide 7 b is at the outer end of link 6 or at the junction of links 6, 6f, (see Fig. 4) and therefore has less power; but when the frame is released and descends, it tilts forwardly on its hinges and springs 7 are extended (see Fig. The springs 7 at first offer their greatest resistance to the swinging movement of the frame, but as the frame lowers to a horizontal position the lpops 7 shift back on links 6 as indicated in ig. 3.

When the frame is released by disengagement of catches 5-(the cylinders havin been previously filled with pins)the loaded frame descends and tilts forwardly on its hinges until it nearly assumes a horizontal position, at which time the plate 2 is shifted so as to cause its slots 2" to register with the cylinders. The shifting of the plate may be accomplished in various ways but as shown in the drawings the lower or rear edge of plate 2 is connected to links 8, as at S and the other ends of links 8 are pivoted to the lower edges of bars 3 as shown at 8 When the frame is raised these links assume the position indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 and pro ject below this lower or rear edge of the rearmost bar 1 of the frame. When the frame is released and descends levers 8 come 1n contact with stops 8 fastened to the bars 3, see Figs. 3, 4 and 5, arresting the motion of said levers while the frame completes its swing to horizontal position, and in so doing the levers 8 force plate 2 to move forwardly and bring its slots 2 into register with cylinders 1 as indicated in Figs. 3 and 5 Whereupon the pins drop onto and rest upon the alley A; and as the frame is thereupon relieved of the weight of the pins the weights 4 overbalance the weight of the unloaded frame-and return it to setting position. On the initial'upward movement the frame rises clear of the pins and then begins to tilt upwardly, the tilting being accomplished by the combined action of the pull-ropes 4, the spring 7, and links 6. The springs 7 do not come effectively into operationuntil after the frame has risen sufiieiently to bring 6" above the pivots 6, and this enables the frame to automatically rise clear of the pins before it is tilted sufliciently to interfere with the pins.

Operation: The frame is normally held in the position shown in Figs. 1- and 4 in full lines, that is, suflieiently above the alley to be out of the way of the pins during the bowling. After the bowling the attendant places the pins in the respective eylinders 1' and then pulls cord 5 thereby releasing catches 5, and the loaded frame drops vertically and at the same time tilts downwardly, and just before it reaches its lowermost position the plate 2 is shifted forwardly as described, dropping the pins in exact position on the alley; and the frame being then relieved of the weight of the pins is raised and swung back to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 4 and remains in Such position out of the way until it is reloaded with the pins and re eased by the operator. The

jointed levers

6, 6, are used for the purpose of cushioning and regulat ing the swinging motion of the frame.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent thereon is:

1. In a pin-spotting apparatus the combination of a vertically movable frame provided with pin-receiving cylinders, a device for closing the lower ends of the cylinders when the frame is raised, means for holding the frame in raised position until loaded with the pins, means for releasin the frame and causing it to descend, means for shifting the closing devices to discharge the pins in the cylinders when the frame is lowered, and means for raising the frame after the pins are released.

2. In a pin -s otter the combination of a vertically mova le tiltable frame provided with pin receivers, means for normally holding the frame in upwardly inclined position,

means for releasing the, frame when the receivers are filled with pins, means for releasing the pins from the receivers when the frame tilts forwardly to horizontal position, and means for raising the frame after y the pins are released.

3. In a pin-spotter the combination of a vertically movable tiltable frame rovided with pin-receivers, means for norma ly holding the frame in raised and upwardly inclined position, means for lockin the frame in raised position, means for re easing the frame when the receivers are filled with pins, whereupon the frame descends and tilts forwardly, means for releasing the pins from the retainers when the frame reaches a substantially 1 horizontal position, and means for raising the frame after the pins are released.

4. In a pin-setting apparatus the combination of a frame provided with pin-receivers, slidable devices adapted to close the receivers, means for raising the frame when .unloaded, means for slidin said devices to release the pins when the ra'me is lowered, and means for raising the unloaded frame.

plate adapted to close the lower end of the cylinders, means for raising the frame when unloaded, means for sliding said late to. release the.pins when the frame is owered to horizontal position, and means for raising the unloaded frame.

6. In a pin-setting device the combination of'a frame provided with pin-receivers, a slidable bottom plate on said frame provided with openings adapted to .register with the receivers,'means for shifting said plate out of register with the receivers when the frame is famed, and means for shifting said plate into register with the receivers when the frame is lowered.

7. In a pin-setting device the combination of a frame provided with pin-receivers, a

slidable bottom plate on said frame provided with openings adapted to register with the receivers, means for shifting said plate to move the openings out of registerwith the receivers when the frame is raised, and means for shifting said plate to bring the openings 'into register with the receivers when the frame is lowered; with meansfor automatically raising the frame when empty, and means for holding said frame in raised position while being loaded.

8. In combination vertically movable bars, a frame hinged to said bars, pin-receivers in said frame, means for raising the frame and bars, spring controlled levers for regulating the swinging movement of the frame onsaid bars, and means for releasing the pins in the receivers when the frame is lowered to horizontal position.

9. In combination vertically movable bars, a triangular frame hinged to said bars, pinreceivers in said frame, weights connected with said frame for raising it and the bars, spring controlled levers .for regulating the swinging movement of the frame on said bars, and a slidable bottom plate on said frame for releasing the pins in' the retainers when the frame 1s lowered to horizontal position. I

10. In combination vertically movable bars, a frame hinged to said bars, pin-renected with said frame for raisin ceivers in said frame, weights connected with said frame for raising it and the bars, means for regulating the swingin movement of the frame on said bars, an means for releasing the pins in the retainers when the frame is lowered to horizontal position; with catches for locking the frame when in raised position. I

11. In combination vertically movable bars, a triangular frame hinged to said bars,

pin-receivers insaid frame, weights con it and the bars, spring controlled levers or regulating the swinging movement of the'frame on said bars, a slidable bottom plate on said frame for releasing the pins in the retainers when the frame is lowered to horizontal position; and catches for locking the frame when in raised position.

12. In a iii-setting device the combination of a pin-holding frame provided with pin-receivers, a slidable bottom plate on said frame, means for sliding the plate on the frame, vertically movable bars to which said frame is hinged and levers pivoted to said plate and. to said frame at o osite ends, and stops adapted to. engage sai levers and arrest their movement during the swinging descent of the frame whereby said plate is shifted.

13. In a pin-setting device the combination of a pin-holding frame provided with pin-receiving cylinders, a slidable bottom plate on said frame provided with openings adapted to register with the cylinders, means for sliding the plate on the frame, vertically movable bars to which said frame is hinged,

levers pivoted to said plate and to said frame at opposite ends, and stops adapted to engage sa1d levers and arrest their move ment during the swinging descent of the frame, whereby said'plate is shifted bringing its opening into register with the pm cylinders.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

I FRANK W. COFFIN. Witnesses G. T. OPLINGER, JAMES NEMECEK.