This invention relates to a bowling center and illuminated panel and more particularly to a bowling center which includes a separately illuminated area between an approach section and a seating area.
For many years, bowling centers and their proprietors have catered to two groups of individuals. The groups include league bowlers who bowl in competition and open bowlers who bowl for recreational purposes. The proprietors have also recognized a need to increase the number of open bowlers and to attract a more diversified groups of bowlers and/or appeal to a younger set.
To accomplish the above, variations on conventional bowling have been developed to entice more bowlers to a bowling center. For example, a number of bowling proprietors offer so-called “moon light bowling” by dimming the lights in the center while extinguishing the lights above the lanes entirely. A number of proprietors have also incorporated ultraviolet lighting to direct ultraviolet light on the lane surface and/or gutters and pins which have been treated to incorporate luminescent material as disclosed in a U.S. Pat. No. 5,888,142 of Perrier, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
A more recent approach to attract new bowlers to a bowling alley is sometimes referred to as disco bowling. In disco bowling light ropes are typically run along the bowling lane dividers to extend in parallel down the length of the bowling lanes. For example, the U.S. patent of Rechnagal et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,031,343 discloses a lighting system for a bowling alley wherein each lighting element of the system is independently controlled. The U.S. Pat. No. 6,031,343 patent is also incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
Another approach to attract new bowlers is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,800,274 of Widrick et al. which is directed to a bowling alley bumper system for providing visual effects and which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. As disclosed therein, a controller is provided for pulsing the lights along each of the bumpers to produce a “chase” or other visual effect. As disclosed therein a controller may also be used to regulate the illumination of the lights across adjacent alleys.
While the above-identified system and others are attracting new bowlers to bowling centers, they have not addressed a problem associated with low light level and flashing light bowling. For example, such systems have failed to address problems of a poorly lit or a dark area between an approach section and a seating area. Problems associated with this dark area are exacerbated in those centers where the approach section is elevated slightly above the level of the seating area and thus requires a step up onto the approach section.
Further it is presently believed that a light string which extends along the edge of the approach section will help bowlers orient themselves for an approach to a lane and provide unique visual effects when a string of lights is sequentially lit or illuminated in a pattern which is perpendicular to the bowling lanes.
In addition to the above, the flashing and/or constant illumination provides additional safety for bowling centers particularly when the approach section is elevated from the seating area. A further advantage of the present invention resides in the use of a unique design which can be used on alleys wherein the seating area is below the approach section as well as alleys in which the seating area is level with the approach section.
A still further advantage of the invention resides in a snap-in cover which facilitates installation and repair and provides a durable surface which can be routinely walked on and will withstand the contact with a droped bowling ball and which can be manufactured and sold at a competitive price.
In essence, a first embodiment of the present invention contemplates an improved approach section for a bowling center and/or a separate border at a rear portion of the approach section which is adjacent to and abuts the seating area. Bowling centers typically have a plurality of side-by-side bowling alleys which include one or more approach sections and a seating area behind and adjacent to the approach section, a plurality of lane sections and a plurality of foul lines which separate the approach section and the lane sections. The approach section typically includes a plurality of rectangular synthetic panels each of which has a generally horizontal longitudinal axis which is generally parallel with the lane sections. The approach section also includes a generally transverse axis which is parallel to the foul line and a third axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse axes. In a typical bowling center the approach section extends across a plurality of adjacent alleys. The approach section and/or separate border also includes illumination means for separately illuminating a portion of the approach sections preferably a rear edge thereof which separates the approach section and the seating area. Light receiving support means such as a longitudinally extending element for supporting the illumination means is also provided.
As contemplated, a bowling center in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention includes an approach section having a horizontal upper surface and an adjacent seating area behind the approach section. In this preferred embodiment of the invention, a separate longitudinally extending light receiving support means or border member is disposed between the approach section and the seating area along the backside of the approach section i.e., the farthest from the foul line. This light receiving support means or border member is perpendicular to the alleys. Independent illumination means such as a string of lights is disposed in a light receiving support means. In addition, the preferred embodiment of the invention includes means for illuminating each of the lights in a preselected pattern as for example sequentially along a line which is perpendicular to the alleys.
In addition, a snap-in translucent synthetic cover is provided which will withstand the frequent steps of bowlers and the contact of a dropped bowling ball without being damaged.
A further embodiment of the invention is directed to an illuminated light panel for a bowling center of the type having a plurality of side-by-side bowling alleys. Each of the bowling alleys include an approach section having a horizontal upper surface, a seating section, a plurality of lane sections and a plurality of foul lines separating said approach sections and said lane sections. In this embodiment, the improvement comprises a longitudinally extending high density translucent polyethylene light receiving support member. The support member includes first and second surfaces and first and second edges between the surfaces. The support member also defines a groove in one of the surfaces with the groove disposed relatively close to one of the edges. A plurality of lights are disposed in the groove and a snap-in high density polyethylene translucent cover is disposed over the lights. The light panel also includes means for maintaining the cover over the lights to thereby close the groove and wherein the light receiving support member and cover are capable of withstanding an impact by a dropped or lofted bowling ball without damage to the lights. The panel also includes means for illuminating the lights and means for controlling the illumination of the lights to thereby form a light panel which is capable of producing different visual effects such as a chase pattern and etc.
The invention will now be described in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals have been used to indicate like parts.
a is an enlarged detail illustrating a beveled edge in
As illustrated in
The details of an approach section are disclosed in a U.S. patent of Hixson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,624 which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. A typical bowling center also includes a seating area 21 directly behind the approach section and frequently in an abutting relationship therewith. As contemplated by the present invention, a border panel or light receiving support 33 is disposed between the seating area 21 and the approach section 23.
A pin deck 28 is disposed at the opposite end of the lane 20 and is adapted to receive a plurality of bowling pins 27 thereon. As shown, the bowling alley is set with the pins in a customary triangular pattern with one pin, the head pin in front, a second row of two pins, a third of three pins and a final row of four pins. A pin spotting mechanism or pin spotter 25 is disposed above the pin deck 28 in a customary manner.
A pair of longitudinally extending gutters 30, 32 are disposed along the sides of the lane 20 with one gutter on each side of the lane 20 in a customary manner i.e., adjacent to and in substantially abutting relationship with the lane. The gutters 30, 32 are adapted to received any balls that are bowled toward one side of the lane and to direct any misdirected balls to the end of the alley. Also illustrated are capping members 34 which separates two adjacent alleys.
A conventional pin spotter 25 (shown schematically) may be of any suitable design. One such design is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,807,732 of Congelli, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. The bowling alley also includes a conventional ball return 29 (shown schematically). The ball return may for example take the form shown in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,582 of Edwards, entitled “Bowling Ball Lifting Apparatus.” A masking unit 31 is also shown schematically in
As shown more clearly in
Each of the bowling lanes 20 typically include a graphic design on the upper surface thereof. For example, the rules of the American Bowling Congress call for a series of ten dots which are transversely arranged across the 41⅞ inch width of the lanes at a distance of seven feet from the foul line. A second series of seven dots are also disposed on the approach section at a distance of 1½ inches from the foul line.
A layout for a plurality of side-by-side bowling alleys which incorporate an approach section in accordance with the present invention, is shown in
The panel 40 is positioned adjacent to and abutting foul line 26 and includes a series of seven dots on its top surface at each end thereof. The center dot which is ¾ inch in diameter is then aligned with a center dot which is in the center of each lane at a distance of 2⅜ inches from the foul line taken from the center of the dot to the center of the foul line. The remaining six dots which are ½ inches in diameter are arranged in a straight line across panel 40 so that they are aligned with the corresponding dots in the lane section of the alley.
In constructing a plurality of alleys, the so-called short sides i.e., the sides which are 28½ inches from the center of a lane abut one another between those alleys which are not spaced apart to accommodate a ball return. The opposite sides i.e., 21 inches from the so-called “center line” (an extension of the center of the lane section) do not abut one another but are separated by a filler strip 43 which makes up for the extra spacing for a ball return. The second rectangular panel 42 has a length of about four feet, a width of about five feet and like panel 40 is preferably symmetrical in a first direction and asymmetrical in a second direction at the time of manufacture and shipping. The second panel 42 includes a center dot on a top surface thereof. The center dot is preferably 2 feet 9⅝ inches from its forward and trailing edge and is aligned with the center dot on panel 40. Therefore when panel 42 in an abutting relationship to panel 40 the dot on panel 42 is 28½ inches from one side and 21 inches from the opposite side. It should also be recognized that the approach sections for the bowling alleys vary from one bowling center to another. These sections are for example from 15 feet to 18 feet. For this reason, one end of panel 42 is trimmed i.e., cut to fit the particularly alley. For example, the bottom portion of panel 42 shown in dotted lines may be removed during installation.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention the panel 33 has a height of about 5½ inches, a thickness of about one inch and may be manufactured in any length as for example eight feet. The groove 50 has a depth of about ⅞ inches and a width of about ⅞ inches. As shown in
The snap-in cover also includes a pair of outwardly directed beveled edges 57 and 58 and a thickness of about ⅛ inch. The snap-in cover also has a width of about one inch which corresponds to the distance between the inward extremes of the beveled edges 53 and 54 and forms a flush fit with the surface of the panel 33.
The panel 33 is also constructed and dimensioned to fit between a seating area 21 and approach section 23 in an upright position for those installations in which the approach section is raised above the level of the seating area. For centers with seating areas on the same level as the approach section, the panel 33 is installed flat i.e., on its side 33′ at the end of the approach section 23.
The panel 33 may also be installed between other sections of a bowling alley as for example along a capping member 34 which separates two alleys and extends along the length of the alleys. In such cases, an upper portion of a panel 33, about two inches from the top 35 and including the groove 56, extends above the capping member 34. In this way, the light panel projects light through the top and two sides of the panel i.e., through the naturally colored translucent snap-in cover and through the opposite side 33′ thereof.
The embodiment shown in
While the invention has been described in connection with its preferred embodiments, it should be recognized that changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the appended claims.