Bowling Systems and Methods of Use

The present disclosure relates to bowling systems and, more particularly, to bowling systems comprising a string pinspotter system for recovering and setting bowling pins on a bowling lane and methods of use.

The game of bowling is enjoyed by millions of people around the world. With new technologies, the game of bowling has been made easier for bowlers, resulting in a more enjoyable experience. At present, every bowling center is provided with a pinspotter for automatically setting fallen pins back in position on the bowling lane. These automatic systems can be classified into free fall systems (without string) and a string system (with string).

The present invention is directed to improvements of a string system.

In an aspect of the invention, a system comprises: a plurality of strings associated with corresponding bowling pins; a pulley system configured to place the corresponding bowling pins into a first position onto a bowling lane and a second position raised above the bowling lane; and an actuator independent of the pulley system, the actuator adjusting a string length of the plurality of strings between at least a first string length and a second string length.

In an aspect of the invention, a bowling center system comprises: a plurality of pins positionable at predetermined points on a bowling lane; a plurality of strings, associated with a corresponding pin of the plurality of pins; a pulley system comprising a drawbar (or also known as a wagon) movable along a predetermined path and independently operative to manage placement of the plurality of bowling pins onto the bowling lane; and an actuator which is independently controlled from the pulley system, the actuator being independently moveable between a retracted position and an extended position such that an operating position of the strings can be slackened to different lengths independent of the bowling pins being placed onto the bowling lane.

The present disclosure relates to bowling center systems and, more particularly, to bowling systems comprising a string pinspotter system for recovering and setting bowling pins on a bowling lane. As described herein, the term “bowling center system” may include a single structure which may be one of a plurality of similar single structures in a bowling alley establishment.

In embodiments, the string pinspotter system includes an actuator which is capable of independently adjusting a string length. For example, the string length may be adjusted independently from the placement of the bowling pins into a raised position above the bowling lane (e.g., pin deck) or into a lowered position with the bowling pins on the bowling lane. Advantageously, for example, the actuator does not interfere or interact with the strings of the string pinspotter system when the bowling pins are in a first position, lifted from a bowling lane or, in embodiments, initially in the lowered position on the bowling lane. As to the latter feature, for example, the bowling pins may be lowered onto the bowling lane without any control from the actuator. Instead, the actuator interacts with the strings to provide different string lengths, e.g., slack on the strings, when the bowling pins are knocked down by a bowling ball.

More specifically,shows a bowling centre system for stabilizing bowling pins in accordance with aspects of the present invention. In, a string pinspotter system, amongst other features, places or maintains bowling pinsin a raised position above a pin deck (e.g., bowling lane)in accordance with aspects of the present invention. As further shown in, for example, the string pinspotter systemcomprises a plurality of strings, associated at one end, with a corresponding bowling pin. By way of non-limiting example, the accompanying drawings show four bowling pins, but the number of bowling pinsmay be higher, e.g., ten bowling pins.

Also, as shown in, the string pinspotter systemis capable of positioning the plurality of bowling pinson the bowling lane, for example. In, for example, the string pinspotter systemplaces the bowling pinsin a first position, lifted above a bowling lane; whereas in, the string pinspotter systemplaces the bowling pinsin a second position, onto the bowling lane. On the other hand,shows the bowling pinsknocked down with an actuatorin a first position to maintain or limit a first string length; whereasshows the bowling pinsknocked down with the actuatorin a second position to maintain a second string length in accordance with aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, as shown in, for example, the actuatoris used to allow for a slack on the stringsand may work independently of other subsystems of the pinspotter.

As further shown in, the actuatordoes not interfere with or interact, e.g., contact, with the stringsof the string pinspotter systemin this first configuration, e.g., bowling pinsraised from the bowling lane. Also, in embodiments, as shown in, the actuatormay not interact or adjust any length of the stringswhen the string pinspotter systemplaces the bowling pinsin the second configuration, e.g., bowling pinsare lowered onto the bowling lane. Instead, the pulley systemand related subsystems will be used to limit the string length in order to place the bowling pinsonto the bowling lane, independent of the actuator. In contrast, as shown in, for example, the actuatorwill interact with the stringsto limit the amount of string allowed when a pin il falling and pulling on the stringsduring different bowling games. Accordingly, as described in more detail herein, the actuatorworks independently of systems which set of the bowling pinson the bowling laneor which raise the bowling pinsabove the bowling lane.

The actuatormay be, for example, an electromechanical device or an electronic device. For example, the actuatormay be a rack and pinion gear, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic system, a manual level system, or an electronic linear actuator using, for example, motors or solenoids. It should be recognized, though, that other actuators may also be included in the present invention.

In embodiments, the actuatormay be provided in an extended position (as shown in) or a retracted position (as shown in(andbut when the pins have not fallen)). It should be recognized by those of skill in the art that the actuatormay be in a retracted or extended position or any position therebetween when the bowling pinsare in the raised position above the bowling lane as shown in. This is due to the fact that the actuatorworks independent of the setting of the bowling pinsand does not interact with any of the stringsduring these operational stages.

In, for example, the actuator is in a first position to maintain a first string length; whereas inthe actuatoris in a second position to maintain a second string length. Also, it should be recognized by those of skill in the art that the actuatormay be in any position between the retracted or extended positions in, depending on the desired slack required for the strings. In this way, the actuatormay be used to limit the length of the stringwhen the bowling pinsare knocked down by a bowling ballas described with respect to. Accordingly, the actuatorwill interact or contact with the stringswhen the string pinspotter systemis in either of the configurations shown inas described in detail herein.

The actuatormay include a sensor, e.g., encoder. The sensormay be used to determine the position of the actuatorin any of its positions. This, in turn, can be used to determine the length of the strings, i.e., by determining the position of the actuatoras shown in. As should be understood by those of skill in the art, the sensorsends a feedback signal that can be used to determine position, speed, or direction of the actuator, e.g., the position of the actuatorand how fast the actuatoris being moved. The sensor, e.g., encoder,may convert motion to an electrical signal that can be read by controllerand/or controllerin order to determine its position and, hence, the adjusted length of the string. The sensormay be a linear sensor/encoder, an optical sensor/encoder, a magnetic sensor/encoder, a capacitive sensor/encoder or an inductive sensor/encoder, as examples, and as is known in the art such that no further explanation is required for a complete understanding of the present invention.

In embodiments, the actuatormay be independently controlled by the controller (e.g., selection control system). That is, the actuatormay be controlled independent of the mechanisms of the string pinspotter systemwhich raise the bowling pinsinto a first position lifted above the bowling laneas shown inor which lowers the bowling pinsinto a lowered position onto the bowling lane in. In alternative embodiments, the selection control systemmay work independently or together with the control system, which manages the other mechanisms (components) of the string pinspotter system.

further show, for each string, a constrain system or reel systempositioned above the bowling laneand having the other end of each stringconnected thereto. The string pinspotter systemalso comprises a pulley systemfor the strings, positioned between the reel systemand the bowling pins. In embodiments, the actuatorwill work independently of the pully system.

As illustrated, the pulley systemcomprises a motor-driven drawbar, movable along a predetermined path and operatively configured to move each stringalong the pulley systembetween the raised position ofand the lowered position of. For example, as illustrated in, the drawbaris movable between a first position, allowing the bowling pinsto be lifted from the bowling lane(see) by pulling the stringsupward, and a second position, allowing the bowling pinsto lower onto the bowling laneinto the predetermined position () by providing additional length to the strings. In embodiments, the actuatorwill work independent of the drawbar. For example, the actuatoris moved independent of the drawbarand is used to adjust the length of the stringby retracting the actuatoras shown inor extending the actuatoras shown in.

And, as illustrated, the string pinspotter systemis associated with the control devicefor controlling the position of the actuatorand, hence, the length of string managed by the actuator. For example, in the position of, for example, each stringmay be slackened by the release of different working lengths, after the bowling pinshave been positioned, so that the bowling pinscan fall freely when struck by a bowling ballthrown along the laneor by other bowling pinsstruck by the bowling ballduring play (see).

The string pinspotter systemfurther comprises the selection control systemconnected to the actuatorand, in alternative or additional embodiments, to the control device. The selection control systemis configured to move the actuator, when required, between different positions (e.g., operating positions) as shown in, independent of any movement of the drawbar. The movement of the actuatorinto different positions, e.g., extended or retracted, will independently allow for different lengths string for when the pins fall in a pitof the bowling laneas shown in.

For example, in the retracted position of the actuatorin, the stringscan be slackened to a first length; whereas, in, in an extended position, the stringscan be slackened to a second length, longer or greater than the first length. By way of further illustration, in, the actuatormay be extended farther than that shown in, such that the stringsmay be released a further working length different from the previous working length of the stringsshown in. It should be understood that the selection control systemmay set the actuatorto these different positions (e.g., between an extracted and retracted position or any positioned in between) or, alternatively, the actuatormay be set manually to the different positions, independently of the movement of the drawbaror pulley systems described herein. In this way, the string pinspotter systemis structured and configured to release the stringsto place the pins on the bowling laneor above the bowling lane, whereas, the position of the actuatorwill adjust the string lengthdepending on the desired operating configuration required by a bowling game on each occasion. The operating positions of the actuatormay be more than the two described above without thereby limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.

It should also be recognized that an encodermay also be used with the actuator, which provides feedback to the selection control system(or the control device), indicating an exact position of the actuator. The selection control systemmay be manual, mechanical or electronic/computerized, depending on the choices of the constructor of the string pinspotter system. In further embodiments, the actuatormay be manually controlled, independent of the selection control system or the control device.

As further shown in, the pulley systemcomprises a fixed pulley subsystemfor each stringdisposed between the drawbarand the bowling pins. The fixed pulley subsystemmay be configured to allow each bowling pinto be positioned at the predetermined point of the bowling lane. In light of this, the fixed pulley subsystemmay comprise a plurality of pulleys(equal in number to the number of stringspresent) connected to a supporting frameand positioned above the bowling lane. Each pulleyis mounted, in height, at a position above the predetermined initial position which the respective bowling pinmust have on the bowling lanebelow. The actuator, again, works independently of the fixed pulley subsystem.

The string pinspotter systemmay also comprise a stabilizing boardpositioned between the bowling pinsand the drawbar. The stabilizing boardis provided with a plurality of openings, engageable by the corresponding bowling pinswhile they are being lifted into the first position, e.g., raised position above the bowling lane, so as to stabilize the bowling pinsbefore starting to lower them.

As further shown in the figures, the drawbaris provided with a plurality of sheavesfor unreeling the strings(the sheaves used are equal in number to the number of strings present in the system). The actuatorworks independently of the sheaves. Also, in embodiments, the drawbarmay be rigidly, fixed to an endless chain assembly.

The drawbarmay also be composed of a plateassociated with the active section of the chainto which the sheavesfor unreeling the stringsare articulated. The drawbarmay thus be associated with the endless chain assemblylooped around a pair of pulleys,. It should be noted that one of the pulleysmay be connected to a drive motor unitconnected to the control device. In a non-limiting constructional example, the chain assemblyis associated with a framemounted above the bowling laneso that the (horizontal) active section of it, on which the drawbarruns, may be parallel to the bowling lane. Also connected to the frameis the reel systemof the strings. The reel systemmay comprise a plurality of tensioning elements, independent of each other and the actuatorand each acting on a corresponding string. The tensioning elementsmay also be configured to modify the total length of each stringavailable between the elementitself and the corresponding bowling pin.

Also, as illustrated, the drive motor unitcomprises the control devicefor controlling the position of the drawbar. Similarly, the control deviceand/or the selection control systemmay be used to manage the actuatoras it reaches the different positions along its predetermined path. It should also be recognized by those of skill in the art, though, that the drive motor unitwill act independently of the actuatorand will not be used, for example, to adjust a string length for different game operations as described herein.

The drive motor unitmay comprise a brushless motor with Hall effect sensor assemblies or probesfor controlling the operating relevant position needed to move the drawbar to the predetermined positions. The actuatormay also include an encoder or Hall effect sensor assembly or probefor controlling the position of the actuatorand for measuring the length of stringmanaged by the actuatoror other means to allow for managing the extension betweenor more positions. A control devicemay also be used for checking the movement or sliding of the stringsand positioned between the movable drawbarand the fixed pulley subsystemand/or the actuator.

Preferably, the control deviceis connected to the drive motor unitand/or the selection control system. In a constructional example, the control devicefor checking the movement or sliding of the stringscomprises an optical encoder. Preferably, the control devicefor checking string movement or sliding is associated with the aforementioned frame. Also, in embodiments, the selection control systemis configured for checking that the stringseffectively are adjusted according to movements of the actuator. The drive systemin addition to the selection control systemand/or controllermay be connected to an operator interface unitfrom which it is possible to set/select options to define the different positions of the actuatorto define the different lengths of stringto be made available for the bowling pins.

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

As further shown in, for example, a zoneis provided for temporarily collecting the fallen bowling pinsafter a throw of the ball. The zonecomprises a collection pit, with inclined surfaces, formed at the far end of the bowling lane. On one side of the pit, there is an openingfor removing the bowling ballfrom the bowling lane.

shows a representative computer infrastructure, which can be representative of an electronic control system or other computer device used in a bowling center for managing the sting pinspotter system in accordance with aspects of the present invention. For example, the computer infrastructure may be representative of the selection control systemand/or controller. A computer system/serveris provided in the computer infrastructure, which is operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with computer system/serverinclude, but are not limited to, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thin clients, thick clients, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframe computer systems, and distributed cloud computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

Computer system/servermay be described in the general context of computer system executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer system. Generally, program modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and so on that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Computer system/servermay be practiced in distributed cloud computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed cloud computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote computer system storage media including memory storage devices.

As shown in, computer system/serveris shown in the form of a general-purpose computing device. The components of computer system/servermay include, but are not limited to, one or more processors or processing units, a system memory, and a busthat couples various system components including system memoryto processor.

Busrepresents one or more of any of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures as is known in the art.

Computer system/servertypically includes a variety of computer system readable media. Such media may be any available media that is accessible by computer system/server, and it includes both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.

System memorycan include computer system readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM)and/or cache memory. Computer system/servermay further include other removable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storage media. By way of example only, storage systemcan be provided for reading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media (not shown and typically called a “hard drive”). Although not shown, a magnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to a removable, non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a “floppy disk”), and an optical disk drive for reading from or writing to a removable, non-volatile optical disk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other optical media can be provided. In such instances, each can be connected to busby one or more data media interfaces. The memorymay include at least one program product having a set (e.g., at least one) of program modules that are configured to carry out the functions of embodiments of the invention.

Program/utility, having a set (at least one) of program modules, may be stored in memoryby way of example, and not limitation, as well as an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data. Program modulesgenerally carry out the functions and/or methodologies of embodiments of the invention as described herein.

Computer system/servermay also communicate with one or more external devicessuch as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display, etc.; one or more devices that enable a user to interact with computer system/server; and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.) that enable computer system/serverto communicate with one or more other computing devices. Such communication can occur via Input/Output (I/O) interfaces. Still yet, computer system/servercan communicate with one or more networks such as a local area network (LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g., the Internet) via network adapter. As depicted, network adaptercommunicates with the other components of computer system/servervia bus. It should be understood that although not shown, other hardware and/or software components could be used in conjunction with computer system/server. Examples, include, but are not limited to: microcode, device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, RAID systems, tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc.

In general, the processor executes computer program code (e.g., program control), which can be stored in the memory and/or storage system. The program control provides the processes described herein. The program control can be implemented as one or more program code stored in memory as separate or combined modules. Additionally, the program control may be implemented as separate dedicated processors or a single or several processors to provide the function of these tools. While executing the computer program code, the processor can read and/or write data to/from memory, storage system, and/or I/O interface. The bus provides a communications link between each of the components in the computing device.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the program code can be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable storage medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon. Any combination of one or more computer readable storage medium(s) may be utilized. A computer readable storage medium is non-transitory, e.g., is not a signal per se. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The computer readable storage medium is not a signal per se. The computer readable storage medium is non-transitory.

shows a top down view of the actuatorin the first position andshows a top down view of the actuator in the second position. . . . As shown in, for example, the actuatoris in a retracted position, whereas, in, the actuatoris in an extended position. In this way, the actuatorcan limit and/or adjust the string length.

The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the present invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the present invention in more detail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of the present invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the present invention may be embodied in practice.