BOWLING CENTER SYSTEM

Abstract

A bowling center system includes: a bowling lane; a plurality of pins positionable at predetermined points on the bowling lane; a plurality of strings, associated at one end, with a corresponding pin (2); for each string, a constrain system positioned above the bowling lane and having the other end of each string connected to it; a pulley system for managing the strings, positioned between the connecting system and the pins and including a motor-driven drawbar operatively configured to manage a predetermined length of each string present along the pulley system; the drawbar is movable between a first position, allowing the pins to be lifted from the bowling lane, and a second position, allowing not only the pins to be lowered onto the bowling lane into the predetermined position but also each string to be slackened by the release of a further first working length so that the pins can fall freely when struck by a ball thrown along the lane or by other pins struck by the ball during play; a control device for controlling the position of the movable drawbar; and a drive and selection system connected to the movable drawbar and to the control device and configured to allow the movable drawbar to move, when required, to at least a further, third operating position allowing the string to be slackened by the release of a second working length different from the first working length of string released when the second operating position is reached.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a bowling center system.

BACKGROUND

More specifically, this invention addresses bowling centers having one or more bowling lanes, each provided with a string system (string pinspotter) for recovering and setting the pins back in their original positions on the lane.

At present, every bowling center system is provided with a pinspotter for automatically setting fallen pins back in position on the bowling lane.

These automatic systems can be classified into two types: free fall systems (without string) and string system (with string).

SUMMARY

This specification refers to bowling center systems with string pinspotters.

A system of this kind comprises the following, at an end zone of the bowling lane:

• • a plurality of pins which can be positioned at predetermined points on a bowling lane;
  • a plurality of strings, each associated at one end, with a corresponding pin;
  • for each string, a constrain system positioned above the bowling lane and having the other end of each string connected to it;
  • a pulley system for managing the strings and positioned between the constrain system and the pins; the system also comprises a motor-driven drawbar, movable along a predetermined path, operatively configured to control (in the sense of making available) the working length of each string present along the path of the drawbar; the drawbar is movable between a first position to allow the pins to be lifted from the bowling lane (in order to stabilize the pins), and a second position to allow not only the pins to be lowered onto the bowling lane into the predetermined position but also each string present along the path to be slackened by the release of a further working length to let the pins move during play (that is, leaving a good amount of slack string to allow the pins to fall and move freely when struck). In other words, the drawbar is, for the strings, a modifiable connecting point configured to give the string, in particular when it reaches the above mentioned second position, a predetermined amount of slack along its path, so that the pin can fall and move freely.

A bowling center system with a structure of this kind has some drawbacks, however.

The second position that the drawbar can adopt is factory set by the manufacturer at the time of production.

If the second position of the drawbar defines a very long working length of string, the falling/pushing movements of the pins during play may cause the strings of two or more pins to become so inextricably entangled that when the pins are lifted, the strings remain knotted to each other, bringing the pinspotter to a stop until a member of the bowling center staff comes to disentangle them. This dampens the fun of playing, reduces the efficiency of the system and results in a negative economic impact for the owner of the bowling center.

The effect of this drawback is made even worse if the ball is thrown with great force, as in the case, for example, of pro-bowlers, where the ball impact of the ball at a higher speed and with a spin may cause the pins to be scattered over a larger area, increasing the risk of the pin strings becoming entangled.

On the other hand, if the second position of the drawbar defines a relatively short working length of string, the string may alter the result of a throw, for example by a pro-bowlers (compared to the case where the string left slack is longer) and may increase the difference in behavior compared to system with automatic free fall pinspotters.

A pro-bowler is used to throwing a ball with precision and a special spin or twist so that it strikes one or more pins in a desired manner and can in turn knock down other pins to obtain a clean strike, for example. This is normally the case in free fall pin systems.

The constraint created by a string with a reduced amount of slack might make a pin fall over with an “unnatural” movement compared to the movement of pin knocked over in a free fall system, since the string may limit the movement of the pin even just by contact between the string and a part of the pulley system.

This invention has for an aim to provide a bowling center system that overcomes the abovementioned drawbacks of the prior art.

More specifically, the aim of this invention is to provide a bowling center system capable of reducing machine shutdowns due to entanglement of the strings during play.

Another aim of this invention is to propose a bowling center system capable of improving performance and operating flexibility even during matches played by pro-bowlers.

These aims are fully achieved by a bowling center system according to this invention as characterized in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The main features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred, non-limiting embodiment of it, illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates the bowling center system of this invention in a configuration for stabilizing the pins, the drawing being a schematic side view with some parts cut away to better illustrate others;

FIG. 2 illustrates the bowling center system of this invention in a first configuration, with the pins being positioned on the lane and the string slackened by the release of a first working length of string, the drawing being a schematic side view with some parts cut away to better illustrate others;

FIG. 3 illustrates the bowling center system of this invention in a first configuration. with the pins knocked down and the string slackened by the release of the first length of string, the drawing being a schematic side view with some parts cut away to better illustrate others;

FIG. 4 illustrates the bowling center system of this invention in a second configuration, with the pins being positioned on the lane and the string slackened by the release of a second working length of string, the drawing being a schematic side view with some parts cut away to better illustrate others;

FIG. 5 illustrates the bowling center system of this invention in a second configuration, with the pins knocked down and the string slackened by the release of the second length of string, the drawing being a schematic side view with some parts cut away to better illustrate others.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the accompanying drawings, in particular FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the invention relates to a bowling center system, denoted in its entirety by the numeral 100.

In this specification, the term “bowling center system” is used to mean a single structure which may be one of a plurality of similar single structures in a games hall.

The bowling center system 100 comprises a bowling lane 1.

The bowling center system 100 comprises a plurality of pins 2 positionable at predetermined points on the bowling lane 1 (at one end of the bowling lane 1).

By way of non-limiting example, the accompanying drawings show four pins but the number of pins in the bowling center system may be higher, usually ten.

The bowling center system 100 further comprises a plurality of strings 3, associated at one end, with a corresponding pin 2.

The bowling center system 100 further comprises, for each string 3, a constrain system or reel system 4 positioned above the bowling lane 1 and having the other end of each string 3 connected to it.

The bowling center system 100 also comprises a pulley system 5 for the strings 3, positioned between the reel system 4 and the pins 2.

As illustrated, the pulley system 5 also comprises a motor-driven drawbar 6, movable along a predetermined path and operatively configured to manage a predetermined length of each string 3 present along the pulley system 5.

Also, as illustrated, the drawbar 6 is movable between:

• • a first position, allowing the pins 2 to be lifted from the bowling lane 1 (see FIG. 1), and
  • a second position, allowing not only the pins 2 to be lowered onto the bowling lane 1 into the predetermined position but also each string 3 to be slackened by the release of a further first working length of it, after the pins 2 have been positioned, so that the pins 2 can fall freely when struck by a ball 7 thrown along the lane 1 or by other pins struck by the ball 7 during play (for example, see FIGS. 2 and 3).

Also, as illustrated, the bowling center system 100 comprises a control device 8 for controlling the position of the movable drawbar 6 along its path, hence also the length of string managed by the movable drawbar 6.

The bowling center system 100 further comprises a control, drive and selection system (unit) 9 connected to the movable drawbar 6 and to the control device 8 and configured to allow the movable drawbar 6 to move, when required, to at least a third operating position allowing the string 3 to be slackened by the release of a further, second working length different from the first working length of string 3 released when the second operating position is reached.

This control, drive and selection system 9 may be manual, mechanical or electronic/computerized, depending on the choices of the constructor of the bowling center system 100.

In other words, the bowling center system of this invention is structured to be able to configure the release of the strings (in longer or shorter lengths) depending on what type of operating configuration is required by the bowling center system on each occasion.

It should be noted that the bowling center system 100 also comprises a zone for temporarily collecting the fallen pins 2 after a throw of the ball 7.

The zone comprises a collection pit 25, with inclined surfaces, formed at the far end of the lane 1. On one side of the pit 25, there is an opening 26 for removing the ball 7 from the lane 1.

In the case illustrated in FIG. 4 (purely by way of non-limiting example), the movable drawbar 6, on reaching the third position, releases a second working length of string 3, greater than the first length of string 3 released when the second position (shown in FIG. 2) is reached.

The operating release positions of the drawbar 6 may be more than the two described above without thereby limiting the scope of protection of this solution.

The above-mentioned pulley system 5 comprises a fixed pulley subsystem 10 for each string 3 disposed between the movable drawbar 6 and the pins 3.

The fixed pulley subsystem 10 is configured to allow each pin 2 to be positioned at the predetermined point of the bowling lane 1.

In light of this, the subsystem 10 may comprise a plurality of pulleys 21 (equal in number to the number of strings 3 present) connected to a supporting frame 22 and positioned above the lane 1.

Each pulley 21 is mounted, in height, at a position above the predetermined initial position which the respective pin 2 must have on the lane 1 below it. The bowling center system 100 may also comprise a stabilizing board 11 positioned between the pins 2 and the movable drawbar 6.

The board 11 is provided with a plurality of openings 12, engageable by the corresponding pins 2 while they are being lifted into the first position, so as to stabilize the pins 2 before starting to lower them (position shown in FIG. 1).

As illustrated, the movable drawbar 6 is provided with a plurality of sheaves 13 for unreeling the strings 3 (the sheaves used are equal in number to the number of strings present in the system).

In light of this, the movable drawbar 6 is associated with an endless chain assembly 14 looped around a pair of pulleys 15, 16.

It should be noted that one of the pulleys 15 is connected to a drive motor unit 17 connected to the drive unit 9.

In a non-limiting constructional example, the chain assembly 14 is associated with a frame 23 mounted above the lane 1 so that the (horizontal) active section of it, on which the drawbar 6 runs, is parallel to the lane 1. Also connected to the frame 23 is the reel system 4 of the strings 3.

In light of this, the reel system 4 comprises a plurality of tensioning elements 20, independent of each other and each acting on a corresponding string 3. In light of this, the tensioning elements 20 are also configured to modify the total length of each string 3 available between the element 20 itself and the corresponding pin 2.

The drawbar 6 may be composed of a plate 6a associated with the active section of the chain 14 to which the sheaves 13 for unreeling the strings 3 are articulated.

Also, as illustrated, the drive motor unit 17 also comprises the control device 8 for controlling the position of the movable drawbar 6.

It should be noted that the control device 8 for controlling the position of the movable drawbar 6 is configured to measure and check the length of the string 3 managed by the drawbar 6 as it reaches the different positions along its predetermined path.

In light of this, the drive motor unit 17 may comprise a brushless motor with Hall effect sensor assemblies or probes 18 for controlling the position of the movable drawbar 6 and for measuring the length of string 3 managed by the movable drawbar 6.

The bowling center system 100 may also comprise a control device 19 for checking the movement or sliding of the strings 3 and positioned between the movable drawbar 6 and the fixed pulley subsystem 10.

This device is configured for checking that the strings 3 effectively slide according to the movements of the movable drawbar 6.

Preferably, the control device 19 is connected to the drive unit 9.

In a constructional example, the control device 19 for checking the movement or sliding of the strings 3 comprises an optical encoder.

Preferably, the control device 19 for checking string movement or sliding is associated with the aforementioned frame 23.

As illustrated, the drive system is connected to a user; operator interface unit 24 from which it is possible to set/select options to define the second or third position in order to define the working length of string 3 to be made available for the pins 2.

Thanks to this type of system, the aforementioned aims of the invention are achieved by making it possible to have two different operating configurations for the working length of string for the pins.

When a pin is knocked down, a configuration with longer strings can make its behavior more similar to that of a free fall system since the string does not excessively limit the behavior of the falling pin (the pin can move and rebound freely within the end zone of the machine without the string limiting its movements).

A configuration with relatively shorter strings considerably reduces the risk of the strings frequently getting entangled with each other, even in the case of throws by pro-bowlers.

Claims

1. A bowling center system comprising at least: a plurality of strings, associated at one end, with a corresponding pin of a plurality of pins;a pulley system operatively configured to manage a predetermined length of each string of the plurality of strings present along the pulley system; anda control system configured to allow working lengths of the plurality of strings and movement of the pins, including: a first position of game preparation, allowing the pins to be lifted from a bowling lane,a second operating game position, allowing the pins to be lowered onto the bowling lane into the predetermined position and the string to be slackened by the release of a first working length, after the pins have been positioned, so that the pins can fall freely when struck by a ball thrown along the lane or by other pins struck by the ball during play, anda third operating game position, allowing the string to be slackened by release of a second working length different from the first working length of the string released when the second operating game position is reached and the pins have been positioned.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the pulley system comprises a fixed pulley subsystem for each string and configured to allow each pin to be positioned at the predetermined position.

3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a stabilizing unit comprising openings each of which engage with the corresponding pin of the plurality of pins when the pins are in the first position.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein each string of the strings extend through a respective opening of the openings when the pins are in the second operating game position.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the control system includes a control device configured to measure and check a length of the string.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the control device comprises a drive motor unit for measuring the length of the string.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the drive motor unit comprises Hall effect assemblies or probes for controlling the position of the string.

8. The system according to claim 6, wherein the drive motor unit unreels the strings.

9. The system according to claim 1, further comprising tensioning elements, independent of each other and each acting on a corresponding string.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the tensioning elements are configured to modify a total length of each string available between the tensioning element itself and the corresponding pin.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the control system controls play between the second operating game position and the third operating game position.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the control system comprises a control device and a control, drive and selection system.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the control, drive and selection system is connected to the control device.

14. The system according to claim 1, wherein the control system is structured to release the strings in longer or shorter lengths depending on what type of operating configuration is required.

15. A bowling center system comprising: a plurality of pins positionable at predetermined points on a bowling lane;a plurality of strings, associated at one end, with a corresponding pin of the plurality of pins;a pulley system operatively configured to manage a predetermined length of each string present along the pulley system;a control system structured to be able to configure release of the strings in longer or shorter lengths depending on a type of operating configuration, which comprises: a first position of game preparation in which the strings are in a first length;a second operating game position in which the strings are in a second length and the pins are in a lowered position onto the bowling lane into a predetermined position; anda third operating game position in which the strings are in a third length in which the string is slackened by release of a working length different from the second length when the pins are in the lowered position.

16. The system according to claim 15, further comprising a stabilizing unit comprising openings each of which engage with the corresponding pin of the plurality of pins when the pins are in the first position.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the strings extend through the respective openings when the pins are in the second operating game position and the third operating game position.

18. The system according to claim 15, further comprising a unit to measure the length of the string.

19. The system according to claim 15, further comprising tensioning elements, independent of each other and each acting on a corresponding string, wherein the tensioning elements are configured to modify a total length of each string available between the tensioning element itself and the corresponding pin.

20. The system according to claim 15, wherein the system control controls play between the operating configurations.

21. A bowling center system comprising at least: a plurality of strings, associated at one end, with a corresponding pin of a plurality of pins;at least one control system configured to allow working lengths of the plurality of strings and movement of the pins between different operating positions, including: a first position of game preparation in which the pins are lifted from a bowling lane,a second operating game position in which the pins are lowered onto the bowling lane and the string is slackened by release of a first working length, after the pins have been positioned on the bowling lane, anda third operating game position in which the string is further slackened by release of a second working length greater than the first working length when the pins are on the bowling lane.