Rapid loading and distribution apparatus for bowling pins

An apparatus for loading bowling pins (20) in a plurality of pockets (9) on a frame (10), said apparatus comprising:

• first means (41, 68;
• 42, 69) for transporting bowling pins (20) in a first substantially horizontal path;
• second means (41, 68;
• 42, 69) for transporting bowling pins (20) in a second substantially horizontal path;
• means (51) for delivering bowling pins (20) from a supply directly to each of said first and second pin transporting means (41, 68;
• 42, 69);
• means (11) for directing bowling pins (20) conveyed by the first transporting means (41, 68;
• 42, 69) out of the first path to at least one of the pockets (9) for placement of the pins on an alley;
• and
• means for directing bowling pins (20) conveyed by the second transporting means (41, 68;
• 42, 69) out of the second path to at least another one of the pockets (9) for placement of the pins on the same alley as the pins conveyed by the first transporting means (41, 68;
• 42, 69).

An apparatus for loading bowling pins (20) in a plurality of pockets (9) on a frame (10), said apparatus comprising:

• first means (41, 68;
• 42, 69) for transporting bowling pins (20) in a first path;
• second means (41, 68;
• 42, 69) for transporting bowling pins (20) in a second path;
• means (51) for delivering bowling pins (20) from a supply directly to each of said first and second pin transporting means (41, 41;
• 68, 69);
• means (11) for directing bowling pins (20) conveyed by the first transporting means (41, 68;
• 42, 69) out of the first path to at least one of the pockets (9);
• and
• means for directing bowling pins (20) conveyed by the second transporting means (41, 68;
• 42, 69) out of the second path to at least another one of the pockets (9),
• wherein said frame (10) has first and second spaced ends and said pins (20) delivered to the first transporting means (41, 69;
• 42, 69) are conveyed thereby in the first path from the first frame end towards the second frame end and back towards the first frame end.

An apparatus for loading bowling pins (20) in a plurality of pockets (9) on a frame (10) having first and second spaced ends, said apparatus comprising:

• first central transport means (41, 42) for conveying bowling pins (20) in a first substantially linear path from said first frame end to the second frame end;
• second central transport means (41, 42) for conveying bowling pins (20) in a second substantially linear path from the first frame end to the second frame end;
• first peripheral transport means (68, 69) for conveying bowling pins (20) from the first central transport means (41, 42) at the second frame end towards the first frame end;
• second peripheral transport means (68, 69) for conveying bowling pins (20) from the second central transport means (41, 42) at the second frame end towards the first frame end;
• means (51) for delivering bowling pins from a supply to both the first and second central transport means (41, 42);
• and
• means (11) for loading bowling pins (20) from the first and second central and peripheral transport means (41, 41;
• 68, 69) into the pockets (9).