Bowling Center System

Abstract

The bowling center system (100) includes a bowling lane (1), a plurality of pins (2) that can be positioned at predetermined locations on the bowling lane (1), a plurality of strings (3) each connected at one end to one of the corresponding pins (2), a constraint system (4) for each string (3) that is positioned above the bowling lane (1) and connected to the other end of each string (3), and a pulley system (5) for managing the strings (3) positioned between the connection system (4) and each pin (2), and the pulley system (5) further includes a pulley for each string along the pulley system (5). The bowling alley includes a motor-driven drawbar (6) configured to manage a predetermined length of the ring (3), the drawbar (6) being movable between a first position enabling it to lift a plurality of pins (2) from the bowling lane (1) and a second position enabling it to not only lower each pin (2) to a predetermined position on the bowling lane (1) but also to further release and loosen each string (3) by a first working length, so that the pins (2) are free to be knocked down when struck by a ball (7) thrown along the lane (1) or by other pins struck by the ball (7) during play. The machine further comprises a control device (8) for controlling the position of the movable drawbar (6), and a control, drive and selection system (9) connected to the movable drawbar (6) and the control device (8), the control, drive and selection system (9) being configured to move the movable drawbar (6) to at least a further third operating position as required, and to slacken the string (3) by releasing a further second operating length different from the first operating length of the string (3) released when the second operating position is reached.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a bowling center system. [Background technology]

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to a bowling center having one or more bowling lanes, each lane equipped with a stringing system (string pin spotter) for retrieving each pin and returning it to its original position on the lane.

[0003] Currently, all bowling center systems are equipped with a pinspotter that automatically returns downed pins to their original positions on the bowling lane.

[0004] These automated systems can be divided into two categories: free-fall systems (which do not use strings) and string systems (which use strings).

[0005] Described herein is a system for a bowling center with a string pin spotter.

[0006] This type of system is used in the end zones of bowling lanes. a plurality of pins that can be placed at predetermined locations on a bowling lane; a plurality of strings, each having a corresponding pin coupled to one end thereof; a constraint system for each string positioned above the bowling lane and connected to the other end of each string; a pulley system for managing each string, the pulley system being positioned between the constraint system and each pin, the system further comprising a motor-driven drawbar, the drawbar movable along a predetermined path and configured to control (in the sense of making available) the working length of each string along the path of the drawbar, the drawbar movable between a first position which enables each pin to be lifted off the bowling lane (to stabilize the pins) and a second position which not only lowers the pins to their predetermined positions on the bowling lane but also releases and loosens each string along its path by a further working length to allow each pin to move during play (i.e., leaving sufficient string slack so that the pins fall over and move freely when struck).

[0007] That is, the drawbar is a variable attachment point for the string that is configured to provide a predetermined amount of slack along its path so that the pins can collapse and move freely, particularly when the string reaches the second position mentioned above.

[0008] Constructions of this type are known from documents US2018 / 147479 and US3458191.

[0009] However, bowling center systems constructed in this manner have several drawbacks.

[0010] The second position that the drawbar can take is set by the manufacturer at the factory during production.

[0011] If the string working length becomes too long in the second position of the drawbar, the pins' knocking and pushing action during play can cause the strings of two or more pins to become closely entangled, leaving the strings knotted together when the pins are lifted, and stalling the pinspotter until bowling center staff arrives to untangle the strings, resulting in a less enjoyable experience, a decrease in the efficiency of the system, and a negative financial impact to the bowling center owner.

[0012] The impact of this drawback is exacerbated when the ball is thrown with great force, as by professional bowlers, for example: in this case, the ball spins at high speed as it strikes the pins, scattering the pins over a wider area and increasing the risk of the pin strings tangling together.

[0013] On the other hand, the relatively short string working length in the second drawbar position may result in different strings (compared to longer string slack) that may alter the outcome of a throw by, for example, a professional bowler, and may result in greater differences in behavior compared to a system with an automatic free-fall pin spotter.

[0014] Professional bowlers are accustomed to throwing the ball with precision and with the extra spin or twist that allows the ball to hit one or more pins in the desired way and knock down others for a clean strike, which is usually the case with a free-falling pin system.

[0015] The constraints imposed by the string when the amount of slack is reduced can restrict the movement of the pin even when the string makes contact with any part of the pulley system, causing the pin to tip in an "unnatural" manner compared to the way the pin would tip in a free-fall system. Summary of the Invention

[0016] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention aims to provide a bowling center system that overcomes the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art.

[0017] More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a bowling center system that allows for improved performance and operational flexibility even during professional bowler competitions.

[0018] These objects are fully achieved by the bowling center system according to the invention as characterized in the appended claims. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] The principal features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred, non-limiting embodiments thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of the bowling center system of the present invention in a configuration for stabilizing pins, with parts broken away to more clearly show other parts. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view with portions broken away for better visibility of the remaining portions, showing a first configuration of the bowling center system of the present invention when the pins are positioned on the lane and the string is loosened by releasing the string at a first working length. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view with portions cut away for better visibility of the remaining portions of a first configuration of the bowling center system of the present invention when the pins have been knocked down and the string has been loosened by releasing a first length of string; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view with portions cut away for better visibility of the remaining portions, showing a second configuration of the bowling center system of the present invention when the pins are positioned on the lane and the string is loosened by releasing the string at a second working length. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic side view with portions cut away for better visibility of the remaining portions, illustrating a second configuration of the bowling center system of the present invention when the pins have been knocked down and the string has been loosened by releasing a second length of string. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the accompanying drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the present invention relates to a bowling center system generally designated 100.

[0021] As used herein, the term "bowling center system" is used to mean a single structure, which may be one of multiple similar single structures within a playground.

[0022] The bowling center system 100 includes a bowling lane 1.

[0023] The bowling center system 100 includes a plurality of pins 2 that can be arranged at a predetermined point on the bowling lane 1 (one end of the bowling lane 1).

[0024] By way of non-limiting example, although four pins are shown in the accompanying drawings, bowling center systems may have many more pins, typically ten.

[0025] The bowling center system 100 further includes a plurality of strings 3, one end of which is coupled to the corresponding pins 2.

[0026] The bowling center system 100 further includes, for each string 3, a restraint or reel system 4 disposed above the bowling lane 1 and to which the other end of each string 3 is connected.

[0027] The bowling center system 100 further includes a pulley system 5 for the strings 3 disposed between the reel system 4 and each pin 2 .

[0028] As shown, the pulley system 5 further includes a motor-driven drawbar 6 that is movable along a predetermined path and configured to manage a predetermined length of each string 3 along the pulley system 5.

[0029] Further, as shown, the draw bar 6 has a first position (see FIG. 1) in which the draw bar 6 is ready for the game and allows the pins 2 to be lifted from the bowling lane 1; In addition to lowering each pin 2 to a predetermined position on the bowling lane 1, after the pin 2 is placed, each string 3 can also be further released and loosened by a first operating length, so that the pin 2 can be freely knocked down when struck by a ball 7 thrown along the lane 1 or when struck by another pin struck by the ball 7 during play (see, for example, Figures 2 and 3).

[0030] As also shown, bowling center system 100 includes a controller 8 for controlling the position along the path of movable draw bar 6 and, therefore, the length of the string directed by movable draw bar 6.

[0031] The bowling center system 100 further comprises a control, drive and selection system (unit) 9 coupled to the movable drawbar 6 and the control device 8, and the control, drive and selection system (unit) 9 is configured to move the movable drawbar 6 to at least a third alternative operating game position (i.e., a different position that the movable drawbar 6 reaches along its path relative to the position that the movable drawbar 6 reaches at the second operating game position) as required, so as to slacken the string 3 by releasing a further second working length that is different from the first working length of the string 3 that is released when the second operating game position is reached.

[0032] This control, drive and selection system 9 may be manual, mechanical, or electronic / computerized, depending on the preferences of the builder of the bowling center system 100 .

[0033] That is, the bowling center system of the present invention is structured so that the release (length) of each string can be configured depending on what kind of operation game configuration the bowling center system requests each time.

[0034] The bowling center system 100 further includes a zone for temporarily collecting pins 2 that have fallen after the ball 7 has been thrown.

[0035] This zone comprises a collection pit 25 with a sloped surface formed at the far end of lane 1. On one side of pit 25 is an opening 26 for removing balls 7 from lane 1.

[0036] In the case shown in FIG. 4 (which is merely a non-limiting example), when the movable drawbar 6 reaches a third alternative operating game position relative to the second operating game position, it releases the string 3 by a second actuation length that is longer than the first length of string 3 that was released when the second operating game position (shown in FIG. 2) was reached.

[0037] The number of operating game positions that can be assumed by the drawbar 6 may be more than the two positions mentioned above without limiting the scope of protection of this solution.

[0038] The pulley system 5 described above comprises a fixed pulley subsystem 10 for each string 3 located between the movable drawbar 6 and each pin 3 .

[0039] The fixed pulley subsystem 10 is configured to position each pin 2 at a predetermined location on the bowling lane 1.

[0040] With this in mind, the subsystem 10 may comprise a number of pulleys 21 (as many as there are strings 3 ) connected to a support frame 22 and positioned above the lanes 1 .

[0041] Each pulley 21 is mounted in a height direction at a position higher than the predetermined initial position where the respective pin 2 should be on the lane 1 below it.

[0042] The bowling center system 100 may further include a stabilizing board 11 positioned between each pin 2 and the movable drawbar 6 .

[0043] The board 11 is provided with a plurality of openings 12 into which a corresponding pin 2 can engage while the pin 2 is being raised to the first position in order to stabilize each pin 2 before it begins to lower (the position shown in Figure 1).

[0044] As shown, the movable drawbar 6 is provided with a plurality of sheaves 13 for unwinding each string 3 (the number of sheaves used is equal to the number of strings present in the system).

[0045] With this in mind, the movable drawbar 6 is coupled to an endless chain assembly 14 which is looped around a pair of pulleys 15,16.

[0046] The pulley 15 is connected to a drive motor unit 17 which is connected to the drive unit 9.

[0047] In a non-limiting example of construction, the chain assembly 14 is coupled to a frame 23 mounted above the lane 1 so that the (horizontal) active portion on which the drawbar 6 runs is parallel to the lane 1 .

[0048] The reel system 4 for each string 3 is also connected to the frame 23 .

[0049] With this in mind, the reel system 4 comprises a number of tension elements 20 which are independent of one another and each act on a corresponding string 3 .

[0050] With this in mind, each tension element 20 is also configured to vary the total length of each string 3 available between the element 20 itself and the corresponding pin 2 .

[0051] The drawbar 6 may consist of a plate 6a coupled to the active part of the chain 14, to which a sheave 13 for unwinding the string 3 is connected.

[0052] As shown, the drive motor unit 17 further includes a control device 8 for controlling the position of the movable drawbar 6 .

[0053] The control device 8 that controls the position of the movable drawbar 6 is configured to measure and confirm the length of the string 3 managed by the drawbar 6 when it reaches different positions along a predetermined path.

[0054] With this in mind, the drive motor unit 17 may comprise a brushless motor with a Hall effect sensor assembly or probe 18 for controlling the position of the movable drawbar 6 and measuring the length of the string 3 managed by the movable drawbar 6.

[0055] The bowling center system 100 may further include a control device 19 between the movable drawbar 6 and the fixed pulley subsystem 10 for verifying the movement or sliding of the string 3 .

[0056] This device is configured to ensure that the string 3 slides effectively in response to the movement of the movable drawbar 6.

[0057] Preferably, the control device 19 is coupled to the drive unit 9 .

[0058] In an exemplary configuration, the control device 19 for checking the movement or sliding of the string 3 comprises an optical encoder.

[0059] Preferably, a control device 19 for verifying string movement or sliding is coupled to the aforementioned frame 23.

[0060] As shown, the drive system is coupled to a user / operator interface unit 24 which allows an option to be set / selected to define a second or third position to define the working length of string 3 that will be made available to pin 2.

[0061] Such a system allows for two different operating configurations for the working length of the string for each pin, achieving the aforementioned objectives of the present invention.

[0062] When the pins are toppled, configurations using longer strings can make the action more similar to a free-fall system, as the string does not overly restrict the movement of the toppling pins (the pins are free to move and bounce within the end zones of the machine without being restricted by the string).

[0063] If the strings are constructed relatively short, the risk of the strings getting tangled frequently is greatly reduced, even when pitching like a professional bowler.

[0064] This structure therefore provides a very flexible system that can meet the needs of different types of players. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0065] [Patent Document 1] US2018 / 147479 [Non-patent literature]

[0066] [Patent Document 2] US3458191

Claims

1. 1. A bowling center system, comprising: Bowling lane (1) and A plurality of pins (2) that can be placed at predetermined points on the bowling lane (1); a plurality of strings (3) each connected at one end to a corresponding one of the pins (2); for each string (3), a restraint system (4) located above the bowling lane (1) and connected to the other end of each string (3); and a pulley system (5) for the strings (3) arranged between the constraint system (4) and each pin (2), the pulley system (5) further comprising a motor-driven drawbar (6) movable along a predetermined path and configured to manage a predetermined length of each string (3) along the pulley system (5), the drawbar (6) being movable between a first ready-to-game position in which the pins (2) can be lifted from the bowling lane (1) and a second operational game position in which the drawbar (6) not only lowers the pins (2) to a predetermined position on the bowling lane (1), but also releases and loosens each string (3) a first operating length after the pins (2) have been placed, so that the pins (2) can be freely knocked down when struck by a ball (7) thrown along the lane (1) or by another pin struck by the ball (7) during play. moreover, a control device (8) for controlling the position of the movable drawbar (6) along the predetermined path; and a control, drive and selection system (9) coupled to the movable drawbar (6) and the control device (8), the control, drive and selection system (9) configured to move the movable drawbar (6) to at least a third alternative operating game position relative to the second operating game position as needed, so that the string (3) can be slackened by releasing a further second working length of the string (3) different from the first working length of the string (3) released when the second operating game position is reached.

2. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the pulley system (5) comprises a fixed pulley subsystem (10) for each string (3) positioned between the movable drawbar (6) and the plurality of pins (2), the fixed pulley subsystem (10) configured to position each pin (2) at the predetermined position on the bowling lane (1).

3. 3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a stabilizing board (11) disposed between the plurality of pins (2) and the movable drawbar (6), the board (11) being provided with a plurality of openings (12) into which a corresponding pin (2) can engage while the plurality of pins (2) are being raised to a first position in order to stabilize each pin (2) before starting to lower the plurality of pins (2).

4. 10. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (8) controlling the position of the movable drawbar (6) is configured to measure and verify the length of the string (3) managed by the drawbar (6).

5. 10. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the movable drawbar (6) is provided with a plurality of sheaves (13) for unwinding the plurality of strings (3), and the movable drawbar (6) is coupled to an endless chain assembly (14) looped around a pair of pulleys (15, 16), one of the pulleys (15) being connected to a drive motor unit (17) which is connected to the drive unit (9), such that the drawbar (6) can move along the predetermined path in both directions.

6. 6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the drive motor unit (17) further comprises the control device (8) for controlling the position of the movable drawbar (6).

7. 7. The system of claim 5 or 6, wherein the drive motor unit (17) comprises a brushless motor with a Hall effect sensor assembly or probe (18) used to control the position of the movable drawbar (6).

8. 8. The system according to claim 2, further comprising a control device (19) configured to verify movement or sliding of the plurality of strings (3) between the movable drawbar (6) and the fixed pulley subsystem (10), the control device (19) configured to verify effective sliding of the plurality of strings (3) in response to movement of the movable drawbar (6) and coupled to the drive unit (9).

9. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein when the movable drawbar (6) reaches the third alternative operating game position relative to the second operating game position, the movable drawbar (6) releases the string (3) by a second actuation length, the second actuation length being longer than the first actuation length of the string (3) released when the movable drawbar (6) reaches the second operating game position.

10. 10. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the constraint system (4) comprises a plurality of tension elements (20) independent of one another and each acting on a corresponding string (3), the tension elements (20) also being configured to vary the total length of each string (3) available between themselves and the corresponding pin (2).

11. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the control device (19) for verifying the movement or sliding of the plurality of strings (3) comprises an optical encoder.

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