Multiple tanks for applying lane dressing to transfer roller for bowling lane dressing apparatus

Abstract

A bowling lane dressing apparatus for use on a bowling alley has a carriage with a lane buffer roller. A transfer roller in rolling engagement with the lane buffer roller and in fluid communication with a plurality of reservoirs, each containing lane dressing fluid for transferring fluid from each reservoir by a wick therein to the lane buffing roller. Each reservoir is pivotally mounted for independent movement to bring its wick into or out of engagement with the transfer roller. A variable speed drive is connected to the transfer roller for rotating it at variable speeds to vary the rate of transfer of fluid from each reservoir to the lane buffer roller. If desired, the transfer roller can be separated into independently rotatable roller segments, each of which can be driven by separate variable speed motors. The roller segments and the wick of the reservoir associated with that roller segment may be of substantially equal widths.

Description

This invention relates to a transfer roller mechanism for a bowling lane dressing apparatus and more particularly to one in which a plurality of reservoir tanks, each having a wick, can be pivoted to selectively bring the respective wicks into contact with one or more transfer rollers wherein the speed of one or more of the transfer rollers or transfer roller segments can be varied to more precisely control the amount of oil placed on a bowling lane.

BACKGROUND ART

Ingermann et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,959,884 for "Combination Bowling Lane Stripper and Dressing Apparatus", among other limitations, discloses a transfer device for transferring dressing oil from a reservoir to an applicator roller. This device includes a transfer roller which receives oil from the reservoir by means of a wick and then transfers the oil to an applicator roller. The transfer roller is driven by a chain drive between it and the drive rollers for moving the device down the bowling lane. The device includes pressure fingers which can be adjusted to vary the amount of oil transferred from the reservoir to the transfer roller so that different amounts of oil can be applied to different boards across the width of the bowling lane. However, for any given pressure across the transfer roller, the amount of oil applied from the transfer roller to the buffer roller is strictly a function of the speed of the application roller and can be varied only by varying the viscosity of the oil in the reservoir. Thus, the degree of control available with that device is limited.

Davis et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,290 for "Bowling Lane Maintenance Machine" discloses an automatic machine for laying down a pattern of oil across the width of a bowling lane and along the length of the lane which is controlled and varied by the use of a series of independent controllable wick assemblies within a single reservoir which are individually moveable into and out of contact with a transfer roller. As with the previously described device, with any given pressure across the transfer roller, the amount of oil applied from the transfer roller to the buffer roller is strickly a function of the speed of the application roller and can be varied only by varying the viscosity of the oil in the reservoir. Thus, while application of oil to selected portions of the transfer roller can be controlled, the amount of oil can be modified only by changing the pressure of the individual wicks against the transfer roller.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one form this invention, a bowling lane dressing apparatus is provided which has a carriage for movement along the bowling lane between the foul line and the pit. Drive wheels are rotatably mounted on the carriage for moving the carriage along the bowling lane by means of a first drive means connected thereto. A lane buffer roller is journaled on the carriage in lane-contacting relation which extends transversely to the direction of travel. The lane buffing roller is driven by a second drive means. A plurality of reservoirs are mounted in the carriage in end-to-end relationship for storage of lane-dressing fluid. A transfer roller is mounted in rolling engagement with the lane buffer roller and in fluid communication with the respective reservoirs for transferring fluid from each reservoir to the lane buffer roller by means of a separate wick in each reservoir. Variable speed drive means may be connected to the transfer roller for rotating it at variable speeds to vary the rate of transfer of fluid from the respective wicks to the lane buffer roller.

More specifically, the variable speed drive means includes a variable speed motor mounted on the carriage and connected to the transfer roller to rotate the transfer roller at a speed relative to the speed of rotation of the variable speed motor. A variable resistor is connected in series with the variable speed motor for varying the speed thereof.

In a second form of the invention, the transfer roller is separated into independently rotatable roller segments, each of which can be driven by separate variable speed motors. The segments may comprise a center roller segment driven by one variable speed motor, a pair of track roller segments at opposite ends of the center roller segment, respectively, driven by a second variable speed motor, and a pair of roller segments at opposite outer ends of said track roller segments, respectively, driven by a third variable speed motor.

The variable speed motors for the respective track roller segments and roller segments may be connected to the roller pairs by means of a jack shaft interconnecting each roller segment in the pair. By this means the number of motor necessary to drive the total number of rollers may be decreased and bilateral symmetry of the application of fluid to the alley obtained.

Each roller segment outwardly adjacent from the previous segment is mounted on a shaft extending from that previous segment. The shaft of the outwardly adjacent roller segment will have a greater diameter than the shaft to the previous segment and will end at a point adjacent to the end point of the previous segments shaft. The centermost roller segment will have its shaft extending outward in both directions and will be journaled to the carriage of the apparatus to form the axis of roller segments. With this configuration, each roller segment will independently rotate about a common axis.

In a third form of the invention, each roller segment is driven by a separate variable speed motor.

The reservoirs can include a center reservoir mounted adjacent the center roller segment and having a center wick with a width substantially equal to the length of the center roller segment. A pair of track reservoirs are mounted adjacent each respective track roller segment, each of the track reservoirs having a track wick with a width substantially equal to the length of the respective track roller segments. A pair of outer reservoirs are mounted adjacent to each respective roller segments, each of the outer reservoirs having an outer wick with a width substantially equal to the length of the respective roller segments. The respective reservoirs are mounted in end-to-end relationship and each reservoir is mounted for pivotal rotation by means of a solenoid for moving the respective wicks into and out of contact with the roller or roller segment with which it is associated. Advantageously, the reservoirs may be supplied with the same lane-dressing material or with lane-dressing material having different properties, such as different viscosities.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the application of lane-dressing fluid to a buffer roller will not be limited by the viscosity of the fluid, but rather can be controlled within broad limits by increasing or decreasing the speed of the transfer roller or rollers so that when the speed increases more fluid is applied to the buffer roller and when it is turned at a slower speed less fluid is applied to the buffer roller. Furthermore, it will be apparent that the application of lane dressing fluid to the buffer roller may be in different incremental amounts, at desired widths across the buffer roller, providing precise control to tailor the profile of the fluid across the lane. By providing separate reservoirs with a separate wick for each, lane-dressing fluid of different viscosities can be provided for different portions of the lane and their respective wicks can be selectively brought into contact with the transfer roller for applying dressing to the particular portion of the lane along its length, as desired. Additional advantages of this invention will become apparent from the description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bowling lane dressing apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical section, taken along 2--2 of FIG. 1, showing the variable speed motor for operating the transfer roller;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal section, taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2, showing further details of the apparatus;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the control panel for the bowling lane dressing apparatus;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial vertical section, taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1, showing a bowling lane dressing apparatus fitted with a system of independently driven transfer roller segments;

FIG. 6 is a horizontal section, taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5, showing a system of independently driven transfer roller segments utilizing three motors to drive five segments;

FIG. 7 is a partial vertical section, taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 6, showing three independent drive systems to the transfer roller segments;

FIG. 8 is a partial vertical section, taken along line 8--8 of FIG. 6, showing two independent drive systems utilizing jack shafts to drive the outer transfer roller segment and track transfer roller segment pairs;

FIG. 9 is a partial vertical section, taken along line 9--9 of FIG. 6, showing the outer transfer roller segment pair motor and jack shaft;

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal section, taken along line 10--10 of FIG. 6, showing a system of independently driven transfer roller segments including a center roller, a track roller pair and an outer roller pair;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged partial vertical section, taken along line 11--11 of FIG. 10, showing the concentric shafts, plugs and bushings of the transfer roller segments;

FIG. 12 is a greatly enlarged cross sectional view, taken along line 12--12 of FIG. 10, of the transfer roller element of the transfer system, showing the concentric shafts, plugs and bushings of the transfer roller segments;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an apparatus fitted with three motors to drive five transfer roller segments;

FIG. 14 is a partial horizontal section, similar to FIG. 6, but showing an apparatus fitted with a system of independently driven transfer roller segments utilizing five motors to drive five roller segments;

FIG. 15 is a partial vertical section, taken along line 15--15 of FIG. 14, showing three of the five motor assemblies of a five motor system;

FIG. 16 is a partial vertical section, taken along line 16--16 of FIG. 14, showing two of the five motor assemblies of a five motor system;

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of an apparatus fitted with five motors to drive five transfer roller segments;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary plan view of an alternative embodiment wherein a plurality of lane-dressing fluid reservoirs are provided, each having a separate wick;

FIG. 19 is a horizontal section, taken along line 19--19 of FIG. 18, showing further details of the separate reservoirs and wicks;

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary vertical section, taken along line 20--20 of FIG. 18, showing the wick in contact with the roller;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary vertical section, similar to FIG. 20, showing the wick out of engagement with the transfer roller;

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary top plan view, similar to FIG. 18, but showing a segmented roller; and

FIG. 23 is a block diagram of an apparatus fitted with five transfer roller segments and five reservoir tanks as shown in FIG. 22.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a dressing apparatus 10 is provided which can be mounted for travel along a bowling lane 12, as shown in FIG. 1. The apparatus has a carriage 14 which houses all of the functional elements of the apparatus. The carriage includes opposite side walls 16 and 18 interconnected by a front wall 20 and a rear wall 22. A top cover 24 extends from the upper edge of front wall 20 and terminates in an upstanding angular wall 26 in which a control panel 28 is mounted for controlling the various functions of the apparatus. A transverse wall 30, shown in FIG. 2, divides a forward portion of the carriage from a rear portion. The device is provided with a top cover having a pivotal section 34 connected to cover 32, as by a piano hinge 36 to provide access to the interior of carriage 14. Details of the mechanics of this device, other than those described below, can be found in Ingermann et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,959,844 for "Combination Bowling Lane Stripper and Dressing Apparatus" which is incorporated herein by reference.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the carriage 14 is provided with laterally spaced drive wheels 38 interconnected by a rotatable shaft 40 journaled adjacent opposite ends in bearings 42. The drive wheels 38 engage the surface of bowling alley 12 for moving the carriage longitudinally along the alley for applying the lane dressing. Conveniently, carriage 14 has a bottom wall 44 having openings 46 therein through which drive wheels 38 extend for contacting the surface of bowling lane 12. A drive shaft 40 interconnects drive rollers 38 and is driven by drive motor 48 through chain drive 50.

The buffer roller 52 is mounted for rotation with central shaft 54 and is positioned to contact bowling alley 12 to apply the bowling lane dressing thereto. Shaft 54 is driven by a drive chain 56 from motor 58 at a constant speed.

A tank or reservoir 60 is mounted adjacent buffer roller 52 within carriage 14 and contains a supply of dressing liquid 62. Conveniently, a wick 64 extends from the liquid to a position in engagement with transfer roller 66 which is in peripheral contact with buffer roller 56. Thus, the dressing liquid 62 will be transferred by wick 64 to transfer roller 66 and by transfer roller 66 to buffer roller 56. One or more pressure fingers 68 can be provided at the top of tank 60 for pressing the upper end of wick 64 against transfer roller 66 to control the rate at which liquid is transferred from wick 64 to transfer roller 66.

In the absence of any additional structure, the transfer roller 66 would be rotated by buffer roller 56 and would turn at a substantially constant rate of speed. However, in accordance with this invention, a variable speed motor 70 is provided. The motor is connected by means of a drive chain 72 to a sprocket 74. This sprocket is connected to the end of a shaft 76 which is interconnected to transfer roller 66 by drive a chain 78 at each end of the transfer roller.

Conveniently, the control panel 28 has a variable speed control 80 which may include a variable resistor in the form of a rheostat and is connected to variable speed motor 38 in a manner well understood by those skilled in the art. Thus, the speed of motor 38 can varied as desired to vary the speed of transfer roller 66. By speeding up the speed of transfer roller 66 more lane dressing fluid can be applied to buffer roller 52 and by slowing down transfer roller 66 less lane dressing fluid is applied to buffer roller 52. This arrangement provides a degree of control of the application of lane dressing fluid to the bowling lane which has not been possible with prior art apparatus. A typical prior art apparatus turns the transfer roller at 50 rpm. With applicant's invention the speed can be varied, such as between 40 rpm and 100 rpm. Other variable speed means may be used.

According to another form of the present invention, dressing apparatus 90 is provided with a transfer system 100 of independent roller segments. Within such a system, a plurality of transfer rollers, or roller pairs, mounted on a common axis and typically of the same outer diameter can be driven by independent variable speed drive means such that each transfer roller or roller pair can be individually controlled to rotate at a specified speed and for a specified distance down the alley. Thereby, a controlled amount of lane dressing fluid may be transferred to a corresponding region of the lane buffer roller and the amount of oil applied to the bowling alley precisely applied. One form of this concept can best be understood with reference to FIGS. 5-13 and the detailed description here following.

Apparatus 90, except for the operation of transfer system 100, operates in the same manner as apparatus 10. As in apparatus 10, tank or reservoir 60 of apparatus 90 is mounted on pivot 92 so that it may be tilted away when force is applied to it by solenoid 94, connected through link 96 to arm 98 on tank 60. Apparatus 90 differs primarily from apparatus 10, as may be seen by comparing FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, in that the single transfer roller 66 and motor 70 is replaced with transfer system 100. Transfer system 100 comprises a plurality of transfer roller segments, including a wide center roller segment 104, track roller segments 106 and 107 on opposite ends thereof, respectively, and outer roller segments 108 and 109, respectively, mounted outboard of track roller segments 106 and 107, respectively. All of the roller segments are mounted on a common axis for independent rotation. Conveniently, center roller segment 104 is driven by variable speed motor 114, track roller segments 106, 107 are driven by variable speed motor 116 and outer roller segments 108, 109 are driven by variable speed motor 118. As will be more fully described below, the roller segments are journaled at one end of arms 140 on opposite sides of carriage 14 which are pivotally mounted at their opposite ends on arm holder 141 attached to transversely extending wall 143. As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, center motor 114 independently drives center roller 104 directly through drive chain 124 connected to sprocket 144. Conveniently, a track roller jack shaft 156 and an outer roller jack shaft 158 extend across the carriage generally parallel to the roller axis and are journaled in spaced brackets 150 mounted on wall 143. Track jack shaft 156 is driven by track motor 116 interconnected to jack shaft drive sprocket 157 through shaft drive chain 155. Track jack shaft 156 is interconnected to track roller sprockets 146, 147 by a pair of track drive chains 126. As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, outer motor 118 independently drives a pair of outer rollers 108, 109. Outer jack shaft 158 is turned by outer motor 118 interconnected to shaft drive sprocket 160 through shaft drive chain 159. Outer jack shaft 158 is interconnected to outer roller sprockets 148, 149 by a pair of outer drive chains 128.

FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 show in detail the mounting for the transfer roller segments. A center shaft 134 having a first diameter extends across carriage 14 and is journaled at opposite ends thereof on pivoted arms 140. A spacer 142 separates left arm 140 from center roller sprocket 144, which is connected in driving relation to center shaft 134, as by set screw 150. Center roller 104 is mounted in a fixed relationship on center shaft 134 to rotate therewith. A pair of plugs 174 terminate each side of center roller 104.

A pair of track roller shafts 137 and 138, each having a second diameter greater than the first diameter of center shaft 134, are concentrically mounted for rotation on opposite ends of center shaft 134. Left and right track rollers 107 and 106 are mounted on each track roller shaft 137 and 136, respectively, for rotation therewith. The outer end of each track roller shaft terminates inwardly adjacent to one of the opposite ends of center shaft 134. Bushings or bearings 167 and 166, respectively, are fixed inside each opposite end of track roller shafts 137 and 136 for rotation of the track roller shafts about center shaft 134. Plugs 177 and 176, respectively, are fixed inside each opposite end of left and right track rollers 107 and 106, as shown. Track sprockets 147 and 146, respectively, are connected in driving relation to track shafts 137 and 136, as by set screws 151.

A pair of outer roller shafts, 139 and 138, having a third diameter greater than the second diameter of track roller shafts 137, 136 are rotatably mounted on the outer portion of each of the track roller shafts 137, 136 respectively. Left and right outer rollers 109 and 108 are mounted on each outer roller shaft, respectively, for rotation therewith. The outer end of each outer roller shaft terminates inwardly adjacent to each of the opposite ends of track roller shaft 137, 136. Bushings or bearings 169 and 168, respectively, are fixed inside each end of each outer roller shaft 137, 136 for rotation of the outer roller shafts about the respective track roller shafts. Plugs 179 and 178, respectively, are fixed inside each end of left and right outer rollers 109 and 108. Outer sprockets 149 and 148, respectively, are connected in driving relation to outer shafts 139 and 138, as by set screws 152.

While the drawings depict a transfer roller element 100 utilizing five transfer roller segments, it is contemplated that a larger or smaller number of transfer roller elements may be used to provide the desired lane dressing profile across the lane.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of the control system for a three motor transfer system 100. Each variable speed motor, 114, 116, 118, has a speed control and a lane distance control to precisely control the transfer dressing fluid 62 to a corresponding region of the buffer roller 52 and thereby precisely apply the fluid to the desired profile across lane 12. It will be understood that if the speed of any of the variable speed motors is increased a greater amount of lane dressing fluid will be transferred to the buffer roller from the transfer roller segment or segments being driven by that motor. This will increase the amount of lane dressing fluid applied to the lane over the width of that portion of the buffing roller. Similarly, if the speed of one of the variable speed motors is decreased, less lane dressing fluid will be transferred to the buffer roller and to the lane. Conveniently, the length of the roller segments can be chosen to equal a desired number of bowling lane board widths.

FIGS. 14-17 depict a further alternative transfer system 100' utilizing five motors to drive five transfer roller segments. In this arrangement, each transfer roller segment 104, 106, 107, 108, 109, is individually controlled by a separate variable speed motor 114, 116, 117, 118, 119, respectively, for complete independent control of each transfer roller segment. Center variable speed motor 114 drives center roller segment 104 through drive chain 124 connected to sprocket 144. Right track variable speed motor 116 drives right track roller 106 through drive chain 126 connected to sprocket 146. Left track variable speed motor 117 drives left track roller 107 through drive chain 127 connected to sprocket 147. Right outer variable speed motor 118 drives right outer roller 108 through drive chain 128 connected to sprocket 148. Left outer variable speed motor 119 drives left outer roller 109 through drive chain 129 connected to sprocket 149.

FIG. 17 shows the block diagram of the control system for a five motor transfer system 100'. Each variable speed motor 114, 116, 117, 118, 119 has a speed control and alley distance control to precisely control the transfer of dressing fluid 62 to a corresponding region of the buffer roller 52 and thereby precisely apply the fluid in the desired profile across lane 12. This structure is important if it is desired to apply a different amount of dressing to one side than the other.

Although a single wick is shown, if desired the upper end of the wick can be split at the juncture of the roller segments or separate wicks could be provided for each roller to further control the profile of lane dressing fluid across the lane.

A further alternative embodiment is shown in FIGS. 18-21 wherein the single reservoir tank 60 is replaced by a plurality of reservoir tanks, such as center reservoir tank 60C, left and right track reservoirs 60TL and 60TR, respectively, and outer left and right lane tanks 60LL and 60LR, respectively. Each tank has its own wick. Thus, center tank 60C has a center wick 64C extending from the top thereof. Left track tank 60TL has a left track wick 64TL extending from the top thereof. Right track tank 60TR has a right track wick 64TR extending upwardly therefrom. Left outer lane tank 60LL has a outer lane wick 64LL extending upwardly therefrom and outer lane tank 60LR has an outer lane wick 64LR extending from the top thereof. Each of these wicks can be selectively brought into contact with roller 62 by one or more solenoids. As shown, center tank 60C can be pivoted about a pivot, such as rod 92, by means of a pair of center solenoids 94CL and 94CR which tilt the tank by means of links 96CL and 96CR, respectively, to bring center wick 64C into contact with roller 62. Similarly, left track tank 60TL is pivoted by left track solenoid 94TL through left track link 96TL to bring left track wick 64TL into contact with roller 62. The right track tank reservoir 60TR is pivoted by right track solenoid 94TR through right track link 96TR to bring right track wick 64TR into contact with roller 62. Likewise, outer lane tank 60LL is tilted by left lane solenoid 94LL through left lane link 96LL to bring left lane wick 64LL into contact with roller 62. Outer right lane tank 60LR is tilted by right lane solenoid 94LR through right lane link 96LR to bring right lane wick 64LR into contact with roller 62. Upon disabling of center solenoids 94CL and 94CR, reservoir 60C will be pivoted in the opposite direction by the force of center return springs 99CL and 99CR to space wick 64C from roller 62 so that no further transfer of lane-dressing fluid will occur. Similarly, when left and right track solenoids 94TL and 94TR, respectively, are disabled, their respective left and right track reservoirs 60TL and 60TR will be pivoted in the opposite direction by the force of left and right track return springs 99TL and 99TR to cause left and right track wicks 64TL and 64TR to be spaced from roller 62 so that no further lane-dressing fluid transfer occurs. Finally, when left and right lane solenoids 94LL and 94LR are disabled, the respective lane tanks 60LL and 60LR will be pivoted in the opposite direction by the force of left and right lane return springs 99LL and 99LR, respectively, to space wicks 64LL and 64LR, respectively, from roller 62 so that no further lane-dressing fluid transfer occurs.

With this arrangement, it is clear that any one or all of the tanks can be pivoted at the same time or separately to bring their respective wicks into contact with transfer roller 62 so as to apply lane-dressing fluid to that portion of the roller for transfer to the buffing roller 52 for application to the lane. The width of the tanks can be varied to provide lane-dressing to a desired number of board widths and a greater number or fewer number of tanks and associated wicks can be provided, depending on the particular application.

In addition, roller 62 can be driven at a variable speed by motor 70, as previously described. This will allow a greater or lesser amount of lane-dressing fluid to be applied to the lane from the respective wicks and the respective reservoirs providing additional control over the amount of fluid applied to the lane during a pass of the carriage from the foul line to the pit and back to the foul line.

An alternative arrangement is shown in FIG. 22 wherein a roller with roller segments, as previously illustrated and discussed with respect to FIGS. 6 and 14, is used in connection with the separate reservoirs and wicks. As illustrated, each reservoir or tank has the same length as the width of the roller segment with which it is associated. For example, center roller segment 104 has a length equal to center wick 64C in center tank 60C. Similarly, left track roller segment 107 is the same length as the width of left track wick 60TL of left track tank 64TL and right track roller segment 106 is the same length as the width of right track wick 64TR of right track tank 60TR. Also, left outer roller segment 109 is the same length as the width of outer left lane wick 64LL of outer left lane tank 60LL and right outer roller segment 108 is the same length as the width of outer right lane wick 64LR of right lane tank 60LR.

This arrangement gives complete versatility. Each roller segment can be operated at any desired variable speed and each corresponding wick can be brought into engagement or moved out of engagement with its respective roller segment to provide application of lane-dressing fluid as required for a particular application. It will be understood that the roller segments can be increased or decreased in number, along with the corresponding reservoirs or tanks. In addition, it is contemplated that a single reservoir might be used with two or more roller segments wherein the roller segments are operated at different speeds to provide a variation in the distribution of the oil applied to the transfer roller segments by the same wick. Finally, it is contemplated that more than one reservoir might be used with a single roller segment for applying lane-dressing fluid to the same roller segment having different physical characteristics, such as a difference in viscosity. In this manner, two different oils could be applied to the same roller and the speed of this roller could be varied, as required, to obtain the appropriate distribution on the boards of the bowling lane across which the roller segment extends.

FIG. 23 shows a block diagram of the control system for the apparatus shown in FIG. 22. Each variable speed motor has a speed control and alley distance control to precisely control the transfer of lane-dressing fluid to a corresponding region of buffer roller 52 and thereby precisely apply the fluid in the desired profile across lane 12. This structure allows the activation of the individual solenoids to bring the reservoirs and their associated wicks into contact with corresponding roller segments to transfer lane-dressing oil from the reservoirs to the roller segments at the same time the speed of the roller segments is controlled and can be varied in accordance to the position of the lane conditioning apparatus along the bowling lane. The variable speed rollers can be energized at appropriate starting and ending locations on the bowling lane between the foul line and the pit.

This invention has been described in detail with reference to particular embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that various other modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A bowling lane dressing apparatus for use on a bowling alley, said apparatus comprising:

a carriage for movement along a bowling alley between a foul line and pit;

laterally spaced drive wheels rotatably mounted on said carriage in lane-contacting relation;

a plurality of reservoirs spaced laterally across said carriage for separate storage of lane-dressing fluid;

a separate wick extending from each of said reservoirs for transferring fluid from each said reservoir;

a lane buffer roller journaled on said carriage for rotation with its surface in lane-contacting relation to transfer lane dressing fluid to the bowling alley;

a transfer roller mounted in rolling engagement with said lane buffer roller and in selective fluid communication with each of said wicks of each of said reservoirs for transferring fluid from said respective reservoirs to said lane buffer roller;

variable speed drive means connected to said transfer roller for rotating said transfer roller at variable speeds to vary the rate of transfer of fluid from said reservoirs to said lane buffer roller; and

means for selectively moving each of said wicks into engagement with said transfer roller.

2. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said variable speed drive means comprises:

a variable speed motor mounted on said carriage connected to said transfer roller to rotate said transfer roller at a speed relative to the speed of rotation of said variable speed motor; and

a variable resistor connected to said variable speed motor for varying the speed of said variable speed motor.

3. A bowling lane dressing apparatus for use on a bowling alley, said apparatus comprising:

a carriage for movement along a bowling alley between a foul line and pit;

laterally spaced drive wheels rotatably mounted on said carriage in lane-contacting relation;

a plurality of reservoirs spaced laterally across said carriage for separate storage of lane-dressing fluid;

a separate wick extending from each of said reservoirs for transferring fluid from each said reservoir;

a lane buffer roller journaled on said carriage for rotation with its surface in lane-contacting relation to transfer lane dressing fluid to the bowling alley;

a plurality of transfer rollers mounted in rolling engagement with said lane buffer roller and in fluid communication with each of said respective wicks for transferring fluid from each of said reservoirs to a corresponding region of said lane buffer roller; and

variable speed drive means connected to each of said transfer rollers for rotating them at variable speeds to vary the rate of transfer of fluid from each of said wicks to a corresponding region of said lane buffer roller.

4. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 3, further including:

means for selectively moving each of said wicks into engagement with said transfer rollers.

5. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 3, wherein said variable speed drive means comprises:

at least two variable speed motors mounted on said carriage connected to at least two different transfer rollers to rotate said two transfer rollers at different speeds relative to each other; and

a variable resistor connected to each of said variable speed motors for varying the speed of said variable speed motors independently of each other.

6. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 3, wherein said plurality of rollers, each having a length, are mounted on a common axis and include:

a center roller;

a pair of track rollers, one of said track rollers being mounted at each end of said center roller; and

a pair of outer rollers, one of said outer rollers being mounted at the outer end of each track roller.

7. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 6, wherein said plurality of reservoirs include:

a center reservoir mounted adjacent said center roller, said center reservoir having a center wick with a width substantially equal to the length of said center roller;

a pair of track reservoirs mounted adjacent each respective track roller, each of said track reservoirs having a track wick with a width substantially equal to the length of said respective track rollers; and

a pair of outer reservoirs mounted adjacent each respective outer roller, each of said outer reservoirs having an outer wick with a width substantially equal to the length of said respective outer rollers.

8. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 7, further including:

a lane-dressing fluid in one of said reservoirs having a first set of physical properties; and

a lane-dressing fluid in at least one of said other reservoirs having a second and different set of physical properties.

9. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 7, further including:

a lane-dressing fluid in said center reservoir having a first set of physical properties;

a lane-dressing fluid in at least one of said pair of track reservoirs having a second set of physical properties which differ from said first set of physical properties; and

a lane-dressing fluid in at least one of said pair of outer reservoirs having a third set of physical properties which differ from the physical properties of at least one of said first set of physical properties and said second set of physical properties.

10. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 3, wherein said variable speed drive means comprises:

a first variable speed drive motor connected to said center roller;

a second variable speed drive motor connected to said track rollers; and

a third variable speed drive motor connected to said outer rollers.

11. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 3, wherein said variable speed drive means comprises:

separate variable speed drive motors connected to said center roller, each of said pair of track rollers and each of said pair of outer rollers, respectively.

12. A bowling lane dressing apparatus for use on a bowling alley, said apparatus comprising:

a carriage for movement along a bowling alley between the foul line and pit;

laterally spaced drive wheels rotatably mounted on said carriage in lane-contacting relation;

a plurality of reservoirs spaced laterally across said carriage for separate storage of a lane dressing fluid;

a separate wick extending from each of said reservoirs for transferring fluid from each said reservoir;

a lane buffer roller journaled for rotation on said carriage with its surface in lane-contacting relation with the bowling alley to apply lane dressing fluid to the alley;

a transfer system of independent roller segments comprising a plurality of roller segments of the same outer diameter, driven by independent variable speed drive means such that each roller segment of any rolling pair can be driven at a specified individual speed, said transfer system being in rolling engagement with said lane buffer roller and in fluid communication with each of said wicks for transferring fluid from said respective reservoirs to the corresponding region on said lane buffer roller.

13. A bowling lane dressing apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein:

each transfer roller segment outwardly adjacent to a previous roller segment is mounted for rotation with a shaft of greater inner diameter than the outer diameter of the next inner roller segment shaft, and has a length less than that of the next inner shaft;

means interconnecting each of said outwardly adjacent transfer roller drive means to one of said independent variable speed drive means; and

the innermost roller segment shaft is journaled at opposite ends.

14. A bowling lane dressing apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said transfer system of independent rollers comprises:

five roller segments consisting of a center roller segment, right and left track roller segments and right and left outer roller segments;

a center shaft extending from both ends of said center roller segment, journaled on each outer end, and engaged in driving relationship by a variable speed drive means on one of said ends;

a pair of track shafts of greater inner diameter than the outer diameter of said center shaft mounted for rotation thereon, extending longitudinally outward from each of said track roller segments for a distance shorter than said ends of said center shaft and engaged in driving relationship by a variable speed drive means at each end; and

outer shafts of greater inner diameter than the outer diameter of said track shafts mounted for rotation thereon, extending longitudinally outward from each of said outer roller segments for a distance shorter than said ends of said track shaft and engaged in driving relationship by a variable speed drive means at each end.

15. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 14, wherein said plurality of reservoirs include:

a center reservoir mounted adjacent said center roller segment, said center reservoir having a center wick with a width substantially equal to the length of said center roller segment;

a pair of track reservoirs mounted adjacent each respective track roller segment, each of said track reservoirs having a track wick with a width substantially equal to the length of said respective track roller segments; and

a pair of outer reservoirs mounted adjacent each respective outer roller segments, each of said outer reservoirs having an outer wick with a width substantially equal to the length of said respective outer roller segments.