US 12,138,527 B2 · Bowling center system

Abstract

A bowling centre system (100) comprises: a bowling lane (1); a plurality of pins (2) positionable at predetermined points on the bowling lane (1); a plurality of strings (3), associated at one end, with a corresponding pin (2); for each string (3), a constrain system (4) positioned above the bowling lane (1) and having the other end of each string (3) connected to it; a pulley system (5) for managing the strings (3), positioned between the connecting system (4) and the pins (2) and comprising a motor-driven drawbar (6) operatively configured to manage a predetermined length of each string (3) present along the pulley system (5); the drawbar (6) is movable between a first position, allowing the pins (2) to be lifted from the bowling lane (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 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; a control device (8) for controlling the position of the movable drawbar (6); and a drive and selection system (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 further, third operating position allowing the string (3) to be slackened by the release of a second working length different from the first working length of string (3) released when the second operating position is reached.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A bowling centre system comprising at least:

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;
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 the strings, positioned between the constrain system and the pins;
the pulley system also comprises a motor driven drawbar, movable along a predetermined path and operatively configured to manage a predetermined length of each string present along the pulley system;
the drawbar being movable between a first position of game preparation, allowing the pins to be lifted from the bowling lane, and a second operating game 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 of it, 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;
a control device for controlling the position of the movable drawbar along the predetermined path;
a control, 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 third alternative operating game position to the second operating game position allowing the string to be slackened by the release of a further, second working length different from the first working length of string released when the second operating game position is reached.

6 more elements

A bowling centre system comprising at least:

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 constrain system associated with each string;
a pulley system positioned between the constrain system and the pins, the pulley system comprising a drawbar movable along a predetermined path and operatively configured to manage a predetermined length of each string present along the pulley system;
a control device controlling the position of the movable drawbar along the predetermined path in a first operating position in which the pins are lifted from the bowling lane, a second operating position in which the pins are lowered onto the bowling lane and each string is slackened by a release of a first working length and a third operating position in which the string is further slackened;
and
a control, 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 the third operating position allowing the string to be slackened by release of the string from the first working length when the second operating position is reached.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Bowling center system

Life of this patent

Bowling center system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19