July 11, 1950
G. J. SCHMIDT
2,514,457
OFF SPOT PIN DETECTING AND SWEEP CONTROL MECHANISM
FOR BOWLING PIN SPOTTING MACHINES
Filed April 8, 1944
2 Sheets-Sheet 1
.
INVENTOR.
Glo?'fried J: Schmidi'
346
BY
56
ATTOR NEY
.
July 11, 1950
G. J. SCHMIDT
2,514,457
OFF SPOT PIN DETECTING AND SWEEP CONTROL MECHANISM
Filed April 8, 1944
FOR BOWLING PIN SPOTTING MACHINES
2 Sheets-Sheet 2
508
56
+i
560
6
39!
702
26
INVENTOR.
vGot‘fff-zleclJ: Schm-Lclif
ATTORNEY
Patented July 11, 1950
2,514,457
UNITED STATES PATENT oer-[cs
2,514,457
oFF SPOT PIN DETECTING AND “SWEEP‘COZN
TROL MECHANISM FOR BOWLING ' PIN
SPOTTING MACHINES
Gottfried ‘J. Schmidt, Pearl River, ‘N. Y., zassignor
to Bowling Patents ‘Management Corporation, a
corporation of New-York
Application April ‘8, 1944, ‘Serial No. ‘530,097
6 Claims.
(Cl. ‘273-43)
-1
This invention relates ‘tofbowling'pin setting
deadwood or fallen pins from the alley ‘allilil'lls
machines and more particularly to off spot'pin
detecting and pin removal control 'mechanism
for use with such machines.
time, will remove these standing pins, prevent
The mechanism ‘constituting the present in
vention relates generally to devices ‘for use‘with
machines of the general type shown in my co
proper :playing'nf the :game, and possibly result
in an infractionlo'f the _rules of the game, such
for instance as those established by the ‘American
Bowling‘Con'gress. -It i's,'therefore,1an object of
my invention to 'prevent'the removalof pins re
maining standing on an alley‘ after aiballYhasbeen
26, 1941 for Pin Setting Apparatus for Bowling
thrown until all balls of .a ‘frame ‘have been
Alleys, which has matured into Patent ‘lilo. 10 thrown, and it is desired‘lt'oi'set afnew frameof
pending application, Serial'No. 399,815,?led June
2,346,189, granted April 11, 1944, and Ne'jedly
'Patent No. 2,298,718, issued October ‘13, »1942,'for
Bowling Pin Setting 'Machine ‘Control Mecha
nism, although if desired this mechanism can be
employed with other machines designed for ‘the 15
same‘ purpose.
'
In a machine of the type shown in the'above
‘referred to Nejedly patent, there is ‘provided a
pins.
It is an added object of ‘my-‘invention to pro
vide mechanism which will prevent ‘removal of
‘standing pins ‘regardless of ‘their positions on
‘the playing rbed ofan alley after the throwing
of a ‘ball unlessieach standing. pin ‘has been prop
erly lifted and'is supported 1above the alley dur
ing the operation of the‘fallen pin or deadwood
pin setter mounted for movement’to and ‘from a
' removing mechanism.
pin setting and resetting position on a bowling 20 ‘It is va further ‘object of ‘my invention to insure
alley. Mounted upon the setter vare a plurality
against infracti'on‘of “established rules of play, if
of pin resetting units preferably ‘so constructed
forany reason-‘after the throwing of the ?rst'ball
and arranged that each unit is individually mov
of a frame, =-pins have ‘walked'or 'beenimoved be
able laterally with respect to standing pins on
yondl‘the range of operativene'ss .‘of the ‘.pin ‘reset
the alley so that when the setter is lowered to 25 “ting members on the pin setter and cannot be
the above referred to position, each standing pin,
"picked up vthereby I'for sweeping and resetting.
whether ‘on or 01f spot will be lifted and reset in
It is a further object of my invention ‘to pro
proper position on the alley. The range of action
vide means IfOrincap'acitating the ‘pin removing
of each pin ‘resetter unit is de?ned by it's periph
mechanism which is ‘normally operative to re
eral extent, so that if a unit is circular its opera
lmove fallen pins or deadwood "from the alley and
tive extent is controlled by its diameter.
gutters unless pins remaining standing on the
It is well known that as'a result of ‘play, pins
alley after 'the throwing ‘of the ?rst ball of a
may be moved by a ball thrown along the alley
frame are located within the range ‘of action of
or “walk” as a result‘of ball or falling pin move
‘the pin handling mechanism provided ‘for lift
‘ment. Usually the distance of pin travel is rela 35 ing and resetting 'the'same before and ‘after the
‘tively small so that each resetter unit on the
operation lof' the :pin ‘removing mechanism.
setter can perform its designed functions. 'How~
It'is a further ob‘ject’offmy invention ‘to ‘provide
ever, at relatively infrequent intervals it may
means for preventing operation ‘of Fthe pin re
happen that a standing pin will move or be
moving mechanism, such as a sweep, normally
moved-beyond the range of operation of a resetter 40 operative to remove fallen ipinsor‘deadwood from
unit, and hence cannot be lifted and reset. ‘In
‘such case the longitudinal axis of a standing pin
an alley after the throwing of a ball, especially
the ?rst ball of a game, ‘if for any v‘reasonithe pin
may be located beyond the limits of the periph
handling device which sets vand ‘resets Y‘pins is
ery of ‘a resetter unit or two pins may be posi
prevented from moving ‘to its 'p'in'lifting and re
tioned vvto engage a single unit. ‘This'means ‘that 45 setting position.
although the setter can be lowered towards the
It is '-a further object of 'my invention to pro
alley‘after the throwing of ya ball and the resetter
vide selective control ‘mechanism for controlling
units made-operative to lift ‘standing pins, never
the ‘operation of the pin vremoving mechanism 'or
theless because of the presence of one or ‘more
sweep after the throwing iofaa ball, ‘and especially
'pins so far ‘removed from 'pin lifting position 50 the ?rst ball of a frame, if the pin handling de
with respect to a resetter unit or units, the down
vice which sets and resets pins is preventedfrom
ward travel of the setter to its lifting and resetting
moving to its pin lifting and resetting position,
position will be prevented. Hence, when it is
by reason of a pin moving beyond therange ‘of
raised pins which should have been ‘lifted will
voperation of ‘:a lifting unit, ‘or two pins ‘being ipo
‘remain standing on the alley. Under ‘such con~ 55 sitionec'l to be ‘engaged 3by the same lifting unit. _
ditions the sweep, ‘which-is operative to remove
It is a further object of my invention to pro
{saint
4
,,
vide selective control mechanism for controlling
a shaft 34 rotatably supported in brackets 35 suit
the operation of the pin removing mechanism or
sweep after the throwing of a ball, especially the
ably ?xed to the frame of the machine (as shown
in Figure 1).
When a frame of pins has been set upon the
bed of an alley, as shown in full lines in Fig
ure 1, in readiness for play and the ?rst ball is
thrown down the alley, it lands in the pit adja
?rst ball of a frame, if for any reason some of the
pins cannot be lifted and the normal play of a
game is prevented as a result thereof. ' .
With these and other objects not speci?cally
mentioned in view, the invention consists in cer- ~ ' ,cent thereto, and rests on pit elevator E and de
presses a control bar it] which closes a switch 16
tain combinations and constructions whichwill
be hereinafter fully described, and then set forth 10 of any suitable conventional type thereby making
in the claims hereunto appended.
I ‘a series circuit including conductors ‘l4, l5 and
'
solenoid ‘S.
In the accompanying drawings which form a'
part of this speci?cation, and in which ‘like char
The energization of solenoid S causes
‘ the clutch ‘C, which may be of the well known
Bliss type, to effect a driving engagement between
acters of reference indicate the same or like
15 sprocket-l3 and shaft l4 which through the sev
parts:
eral driving connections heretofore described
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine em-A
bodying the invention;
causes cam shaft ‘26 to rotate through one revo
Figure 2 is a partial side elevation of a detail
showing a part of the pin setter and the resetter
lution.
units carried thereby;
'
_
'
.'
Upon movement of cam 21', cam follower 36 on
20 lever 28 which bears against the cam surface-2'1,
causes ‘lever 29- to swingabout pin'30 and feed
cable 3| over the-pulley 32 sufficiently to allow
lever 33 and shaft 34_ torock and locate the sweep
Figure 3‘is a diagrammatic partial front ele
vation, partly in section, showing the sweep con
trol mechanismand a suitable electric circuit for
Rand guard G adjacent the alley. Referring to
‘
Figure 4 is a partial frontelevation, partly dia 25 Figure 1, it will be seen that in the form disclosed,
guard G and sweep R are preferably mounted on
grammatic, showing apart of the pin setter and
a framework composed of substantially parallel
' certain electric contacts; front and rear arms 3'land 38, respectively. Front
Figure 5 is a diagrammatic View showing part
arms 3'! ?xed to shaft 34, are connected by means
of the sweep control mechanism; and
controlling the operation of same‘, I
Figure 6 is a. plan view of the cam controlling 30 of links 48 to rear arms 38, which ‘are pivotally
mounted in ‘brackets-39 supported on the frame
of the machine.’ In this manner provision is
made for giving the frame a parallel horizontal
the operation of the setter in its movement to and
from the‘alley.
'
'
'
In the preferred embodiment’ of my invention,
selected for purposes of illustration, as shown in T
the several ?gures, there is provided a pin remov
ing mechanism such xas-a sweep R, which is
mounted for movement to and from and back
and forth along the alley at proper times after
the throwing of a ball for‘removingdeadwood' ‘
or fallen pins or unwanted standing; pins from
the'alley. In general, this mechanism may be of
the type shown in Rundell Patent No. 2,250,503,
its operation and the, setting and resetting of
>
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-
i
=
-
-
_
on bar ll] ?xed to the free ends of arms 31. The
guard which may consist .of a board or other
suitable ball de?ecting member, moves down into
a position adjacent the alley and remains sta
tionary during the operation-of the sweep R. In
this manner the-sweep, and'the‘ pin setter, which
60 is responsible for setting and resetting pins are
~
.The sweep and guard mechanism is operated
from a motor M (Figure 1).
'
Guard G referred tohereinabove, is mounted
vent a player from throwing a ball until the sweep11 ;
pins.
‘
The frame is lowered under the control of cam
‘21 by gravity. One end of a cable 4! is attached
approximately midway to a cross bar ‘it connect
ing the front arms 3?, which cable is trained
over pulleys 42 mounted on the frame of the
machine and secured to a weight 43 of suitable
proportions to act- as a counterbalance for the
frame.
granted July 29, 1941.. Since it is desirable to pre
R has been returned to inoperative position, it is
preferred to provide a guard G of the-type shown
in the Run‘dell patent which cooperates with the
- sweep R and is located adjacent the alley during
motion as it descends upon the alley.
Mounted upon mo
protected against carelessly or inadvertently
thrown balls anddamage to the machine is pre
vented inasmuch as a ball-cannot pass beyond the
guard until all pin removal and setting or, reset
tor shaft I2 is a sprocket H which is connected
to the driving sprocket l3 loosely mounted on
shaft 14 by means of a chain is. Fixed to shaft 55 ting operations have beenI effected and the frame
returned to inactive position above the alley.
I4 is a sprocket l8 which is driven at suitable
Sweep R- is operated by means of a cam fol
intervals by sprocket I3 and a clutch C which will
> be described more fully hereinafter.
Sprocket
lower 44 on cam lever. 45 pivotally mounted “on
shaft 41' suitably supported in the frame of the
IB, by means of chain l9 running on sprocket ll,
drives a shaft 18 to which sprocket I‘! is secured. 60 machine. Camfollower 44 engages a track in
cam 28 loosely mounted on shaftf? (see Figures
Sprocket 28 on shaft [8 drives a chain 23 which
runs on and drives sprocket 2! fast to shaft 22.
A spur pinion 24 mounted on shaft 22 meshes
1 and 3) and secured to aidriven'clutch member
,llB by screws ll5_'or other suitable means.
A
with a spur gear 25 on camshaft ‘28yon which are, . clutch operating "member, such as a bolt H2 slid
mounted earns 21, 28 and 182 (Figure 3), which 55 ably mounted in clutch member l I0 is pressed by
. spring l M into engagement with an aperture ii I l
through the drive of the spur gears, above re
ferred to, control the movement of the pin and
in driving clutch member lM'?xed by key I05
ball remover or sweep R and guard G and set
. to shaft 26. ‘By means of» this arrangement, cam
ter T.
28 is normally g-ivenone complete revolution .per
As disclosed in the Rundell patent, a lever 23 70 cycle, unless as- described hereinbelow, the cam
pivotally mounted on a pin 39 suitably supported
in the frame of the machine has attached to one
> is disconnected‘by withdrawal of ‘bolt “2- from
aperture Ill. Cam 28 and driven clutch member
> no 'are'maintained in proper operative-relation
end a cable 3! which is trained over a pulley 32
mounted‘ on the machine frame and at its other: .to clutch‘ member “34 by means of» collar “)8
s end the cable is attached to a lever 133 ?xed on 75 ?xed to shaft 26 by screw {06.
‘2,514,457
Lever :45 is also provided with a gear segment
6
‘While the units ‘U are so designed‘ and spaced
on plate 9'! of setter T, that under all normal
idwhich meshes with a pinion 48 on shaft'49 and
spur gear 5| mounted on shaft 52. A sprocket
conditions on or offv spot pins will be “lifted after
53 also mounted on shaft 52 is rigidly connected
the throwing of the ?rst ball so that sweep ‘R may
to gear 5|, and a. chain 55 transfers the drive
remove fallen pins, it may happen'on relatively
therefrom to a sprocket 54 loosely mounted on
rare occasions that a‘standing pin may walk or
shaft 34 supported in brackets 35 and to a
be moved by a ball or falling pins beyond the
sprocket 155 loosely mounted on shaft 34 and
limits of operation of a unit Upositioned on set
rigidly connected to sprocket 54. Extending rear
ter T to engage such pin, or as a result of the
wardly from cross bar ‘HI which supports guard 10 travel of the ball two pins maybe positioned in
G, are arms 1‘! in which is journalled a shaft Bil
close adjacency one to the other. Hence, when
having ?xed at one end a double sprocket 57, 59,
setter T is lowered, ~such unit U cannot operate
and-at the other end a sprocket 6!. Trained over
to grip and lift the pin. An example of this con
sprocket ‘5'! is a chain ‘58 which transfers rotary
dition is illustrated diagrammatically-in Figure 3
movement from sprocket 56 to shaft 69. Idler 15 where a pin P ‘has walked to a position between
‘sprockets 164, 65 mounted on studs ?xed in the
two units U and cannot be gripped ‘by ‘either.
free ends of arms 38 support chains 62 extending
Also the downward movement of thesetter T to
between sprockets 59 and 64, and between
its lowermost position or to setting-resetting posi
sprockets Bi! and 65 respectively. Sweep R, is
tion is prevented because of the engagement by
secured to support chains 62 for movement lon
plate 9‘! thereof with the ‘head of one, or more
gitudinally back and forth along the alley in a
standing pins. A similar condition would obtain
manner similar to that shown and described in
if two pins were located in close adjacency, as
the above referred to Rundell Patent 2,250,503.
mentioned above. In such case ‘no standing pin
It is evident, therefore, that sweep R, in the
can be lifted'and in the operation'of setter control
illustration, is so mounted that in the normal
cam Hi2 the setter is raised leavingall pins stand
operation of the machine, the sweep R and guard
ing on the alley subject to removal by the sweep
G are moved into operative position relative to
‘Since there is another ball or balls to be
the alley after each ball of a frame has been
thrown, it is obvious that this condition interferes
thrown along the alley. In the normal operation
radically with further play of that frame. There
of the machine after the ?rst ball, any standing 30 fore, ‘mechanism is provided for incapacitating
pins are lifted by the units U on the setter which
the sweep to prevent removal of these pins.
dwells above the alley during the travel of the
The construction and operation of setter or
sweep along the alley to move fallen pins or dead
table T may be generally the same as that shown
wood into the pitat the end of the alley. After
in the Nejedly patent aforementioned. The set
the throwing of the last ball allotted per frame, 35 ter may consist of a frame provided with a hol
all deadwood, as well as any pins standing on
the alley are moved by sweep R into the pit, after
which the sweep returns to inactive position ad
jacent the guard, a new frame of pins is set,
and the guard and sweep are moved to inoper
ative position, as shown in full lines in Figure 1,
in order that play may continue.
The mechanism constituting the present in
I vention is designed primarily to prevent removal
low supporting shaft 390, mounted for turning
in slide blocks 39! supported in slides 3 formed
in side uprights 6 located at opposite sides of the
machine for movement to and from the play
ing surface of the alley for setting and resetting
pins thereon. As shown in the Nejedly patent,
setter devices (not shown) and resetter units U
are mounted on the setter for setting and reset
ting pins, respectively.
of any standing pin or pins remaining on the 45
In order to accomplish the desired movement
alley if for any reason the individual pin re
of the table T, to and from the pin supporting
setting units U on setter T cannot engage a pin
surface of the alley, there may be provided, as in
normally positioned to be gripped and lifted
the above referred to Nejedly patent, a gear seg
thereby. For instance, in the usual game of ten
ment 2t!) formed on lever 292 loosely mounted on
pins, two balls are allotted for each frame. The 50 shaft l8 and provided with a. cam follower 2m
resetter units U on setter T are so spaced in tri
engaging cam i 02, which segment engages a pin
angular arrangement, that after the throwing of
ion act ?xed to a shaft 2% mounted in side
the ?rst ball, when setter T is lowered, any stand
' frames 2. Also ?xed to shaft 266 is a sprocket 268
ing pin has located thereabove a re-setter unit
about which is trained sprocket chain 2!!! run
U adapted to grip and lift the same when the 55 ning on sprccket~2l2 ?xed to shaft 2 l4 supported
setter is raised and held above the alley during
in bearings 2&6 secured to machine frame up—
the operation of the ‘guard and sweep.
The preferred design of units U is the same
as that shown in the Nejedly .patent referred to
rights 6. Mounted on shaft 2 [4 adjacent uprights
6 are drum pulleys 2!!! upon which are wound
cables 9 attached to slides 8. Rotation of cam
hereinabove. Each unit U may be likened gen 60 H12, therefore, results in the winding and un
erally to a truncated cone or inverted funnel
winding of cables 9 and the raising and lowering
mounted on a support plate 91 for independent
of table T to upper pin receiving and lower pin
- lateral and vertical movement.
In this way as
lifting positions. A suitable counterweight (not
setter T is lowered, the handle end of a standing
shown) may be used to balance the table T.
pin bears against the inclined side I44 of a unit 65
Each resetter unit U carries a fluid operated
and causes the whole unit to shift and align itself
switch device are and said devices close contacts
therewith. Since pins have a tendency to “walk”
in the several units U in a series circuit 56!! (Fig
as a result of being hit by a ball or falling pins,
ures 3 and 4) whenever the setter T is lowered
it is common knowledge that all pins remaining
after the throwing of the ?rst ball and a strike
standing after a ball has been thrown may not 70 has been made in which case all pins are knocked
occupy their original on-center or on-spot posi
down. All switch contacts 328 in the units U also
tions. The above arrangement insures that
close in the conditions above described, as where
standing on and/or off spot pins will be lifted,
a pin standing on the playing surface has walked
and reset after sweeping in substantially the po
beyond the limits of operation of a unit U but
sitions each occupied prior to lifting.
the removal of such pin or pins isprecludedby
2,514,457
7
'incapac'itating the sweep, as described herein
above‘.‘ In order to prevent the delivery of anew
8
support plate 334 secured to setter T. Whenset
ter T occupies a position shown in Figure 4, con
tacts 332 engage with contacts 329, 362 and com
plete series circuit 566. Cables 9, supporting the
such as disclosed in my above referred to patent
setter T for raising and lowering, will continue to
N0. 2,346,189, it will be seen that even though all
be paid out, as the setter is held up by a stand
switches 320 are closed by operation of the fluid
ing pin or pins. Supports 323 and 346, shown
lines, nevertheless switches 344, 348 and 364, 366
broken away in Figures 3 and 4, illustrate dia
remain open and the circuit to'the pin feeding
grammatically ‘the relative positions of the sev
contro1 mechanism (not shown) remains open
(Figure 3). Operating fluid, such as suction, is 10 eral switches.
The relative positions of disc I22 and contact
conducted by conduits '76, ‘I6’ through shaft 390
plates 624, I26 carried thereby, contacts I28, I30
to suitable pipes (not shown) connected to each of
and support 333 are such that switch members
the units U. The mechanism for controlling the
I54, I56 are normally momentarily in engage
operation of units U and switch devices 326 can
be ‘the same as shown in the above referred to 15 ment and separated again as setter T is moved
in its normal operation downwardly to pin lift
Nejedly patent and since this mechanism does
ing and resetting position before contacts I24,
not form a speci?c part of the present invention,
I28 or I26, I36 become engaged as the result of
‘further description and showing are omitted in
rotation of disc I22. When, however, a pin has
the interest of brevity.’
walked too far off-spot and occupies a position
As mentioned hereinabove, upon each move
such as shown in Figure 3, downward movement
ment of setter T to pin lifting position after the
of setter T to pin lifting position is prevented
?rst ball of a frame is thrown, series circuit 566
because bottom plate 31 engages the head of a
is closed through the resetter units U, unless upon
standing pin. In this condition switch members
normal. full movement of the setter T, as shown
in Figure 4, standing pins hold at least one of 25 I53, I53 come into and remain in engagement
until the setter T is again moved upwardly. For
the switches open and prevent this circuit from
set of pins to the'alley by suitable mechanism,
being made. vIn the case where the setter is pre
this reason contacts I24, I28 on disc I22 are
zvented from moving to its full lower position be
mounted for engagement by stationary contacts
I 23, I33 at some suitable angle, say 30° from zero,
of action of a given unit U, so that the setter T 30 in the cycle.
As shown in Figure 3, ratchet relay F, which
occupies the position shown in full lines in Fig
may be of any suitable conventional commercial
ure 3, switches 320 are closed by operation of the
type, such as series 8-125, made by Guardian
fluid control mechanism (not shown), but
Electric Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Illi
switches 344, 348 and 364, 366 are open and de
livery of a new set of pins to the alley is pre 35 nois, consists of an electromagnet 326 acting on
an armature 333 pivoted at 33I which is normally
vented.
.
2 cause a standing pin has walked beyond the range
In order to overcome conditions such as noted
above, control mechanism is provided to maintain
proper continued operation of the machine, and
held against stop 323’ by spring 323. A spring
urged pawl 330,’ of conventional design is pivot
ally mounted on the end of armature 336 and en
insure the normal operation'of sweep R. after each ‘ 40 gages a ratchet 332' on shaft 337 suitably sup
ported in the ratchet relay. Cam 336 is also
ball of a frame, and incapacitate the sweep when
mounted on shaft 337. Contact arm 3M is pro
the conditions described hereinabove occur.
vided with a nose portion 339 which rests against
A suitable control is shown in Figures 3 and 4.
cam 336 and is held thereagainst by spring 3M’.
This control includes a movable member, such as
disc I22 and suitable associated control elements, 45 Contact point 353i on the end of arm 3!“ alter
nately engages points 333 and 355 as cam 336 ro
and a ratchet relay of suitable conventional de
tates. Ratchet 332' has twice as many teeth as
sign, shown diagrammatically in Figure 3 and
the number of high points on cam 336 in order
designated F, and the other circuits and associ
to effect the desired alternate engagement be
ated elements shown in Figure 3.
Fixed toshaft 26 is a gear Il6 which drives 50 tween contact point 35I and points 353, 355. It
follows, therefore, that on successive operations
gear II8 secured to shaft I23 and held in opera
of electromagnet 32S, contact point 355i is alter
tive position relative to frame 2 by collar I2I.
nately brought in contact with points 353 and
Also secured to shaft I26 is a disc I22 having
355.
mounted thereon substantially 180° apart, con
Contact 353 is connected to switch I36 which
tact plates I24, I26. As shown in Figures 3 and 5,, 55
Is closed by segment I26 on one side of disc I22.
the contact plates I23, I23 are located on oppo
Contact 355 is connected to switch I28, closed by
site sides of disc I22. The relation between
segment I24 on the opposite side of disc I22.
gearsv H6, H8 is such that shaft I26 makes one
Therefore, as long as arm 31H does not move, the
half rotation for every complete revolution of
shaft 26. When for example, in playing tenpins, 60 circuit from arm 32] to wire 364, connected to
the other side of switches I36 and I26, is closed
as a, result of the ?rst ball of a frame thrown,
only once during each full revolution of disc I22
a pin has walked or been moved out of the range
or once for each two-ball frame. In the posi
of operation of a unit U, or when two pins have
tion shown, with contact point 35I engaging point
become relocated in close adjacency, as setter T
moves downwardly, plate 97 engages the head 65 353, switch I33 is closed by segment I26, this op
eration occurring during the ?rst ball cycle only.
end or ends of such pins and further downward
In case the ?rst ball of a frame has knocked
movement of the setter to its lowermost or pin
a pin P far enough offecenter without topping it,
lifting and setting position is prevented. At this
to engage the bottom plate 9'! of the pin setter
intermediate position, switch member I54 mount
ed on support 343 (Figure 3) engages switch 70 T, as shown in Figure 3, relay magnet 3I2 will
be energized through switch I36, contact points
member I56 ?xed to support 346. Support 333
353—35I and contacts I56 and I54. Relay magnet
is attached to bracket 355 clamped to shaft 398.
3I2 closes contact 3I3, thereby energizing sole
A contact plate 323, also suitably ?xed to bracket
noid I42. Connected to the plunger of solenoid
356, carries spaced contacts 332 which are adapt
ed’ to engage with contacts 329, 362 mounted on 75 I42 is one end of lever [32,the other end of which
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.9
10
~
is‘adapted to vbe moved. against the. action of
spring I40 into the position shown in dotted lines
in Figure 3 to position nose I48 on ‘lever [32 in
the pathlof movementof shoulder I50a of slide
bolt ‘H2 and thereby cause disengagement of
clutch slide boltv I I»! in the manner described, to
discontinue operation of cam ‘28 and hence pre
the particular device, selected ‘to illustrate the
invention, is but. one of ‘many possible concrete
embodiments ofithe same. It is not, therefore,
to be restricted to the precise details of the struc
ture shown and described.
~
What is claimed is: ‘
'
I. ‘In a bowlingv pin setting machine, an eleva
vent operation of sweep R. In a case such as
tor, means for moving said elevator to and from
the playing surface of an alley to set pins on
this, continued rotation of cam I02 results in
raising setter T to its dwell position above the 10 spot and reset pins on or off-spot in substantially
alley leaving on and/or off-spot pins standing on
triangular'playing arrangement thereon, means
the alley bed. Any deadwood or fallen pins'can
operative after each ball. ‘has been .thrown ‘for
effecting movement of said elevator :to and from
play can be resumed as usual.
‘
said surface, a supporting‘plate carried by said
If a standing‘pin is moved to the position 15 elevator, said "plateibeing provided with a plu
shown in Figure 3 by the second‘ball of a frame,
rality ‘of openings-[pin removing ‘mechanism,
relay ‘312 is not energized. This time switch I28
means ‘for operating said mechanism to remove
is closed by segment I24, but contact 355 is open.
pins from said surface after the throwing of each
If ‘all pins are‘knocked down‘by'the ?rst ball
ball, means "for determining the presence of
of a'frame (a strike), all switches 32!] are closed 20 standing pins on said-surface after the‘throwing
by the ?uid operating means, as disclosed in the
of ‘the ?rst'ball of a frame comprising spaced'pin
above referred ‘to 'Nejedly Patent No. 2,298,718,
handling units’positioned on said plate‘ and lo
when the pin setter T reaches its vlowest position.
cated in substantially triangular arrangement
Consequently magnet 326 of the ratchet relay is
above said openings, and means ‘operative if any
energized through switches 32!], contact spring 25. pins standing‘on said surface after the ?rst ball
344 engaging point 348 and spring 364 engaging
is thrown have moved off-spot and beyond the
point ‘356; Ratchet "332' is-moved one tooth and
limits ‘of operation 'of a‘ unit between said open
point 35I breaks away from :point 353 and en
ings in said plate, whereby said‘ plate engages the
gages point355. Spring I54 is notin engagement
head of‘a standing-pin for incapacitating said
with point I56 while switch I3!) is closed by seg 30 mechanism to p’revent‘renioval of‘said standing
ment I26, so relay 3I2 is not energized during
pin‘from said alleyisurface'. I
'
'
this cycle. 'Through suitable'mechanism .(not
' 2.1 In a‘ bowling pin‘settin'gmachineQan elevaé
be removed manually, if necessary, after which
shown) which canrbeof theitype shownlin‘my
tor,‘ a plurality‘ of spacedrpin resetters onsaid
above referred to Patent No. 2,346,189, ten new
elevator, means for moving said elevator to and
pins are set on the alley during the remaining 35 from the playing surface of an alley after the
part of the cycle.
throwing of a ball to locate said resetters in
The cycle following this strike cycle must again
position to grip and lift any pin standing on
be a ?rst ball cycle. Assume a pin is knocked off
said alley after the throwing of a ball, a pin
center in this ?rst ball cycle beyond the range
sweep, mechanism operative after the throwing
of cones I44. As switch I30 is closed during the 40 of a ball for moving said sweep back and forth
previous (strike) cycle, switch I28 is going to
along said alley, an electric circuit connecting
close this time and, with arm 3!!! in lower posi
tion, the circuit to relay 3I2 will now be com
pleted through points 35I-—355 and switch I28.
In other words switch I28 has now become the
?rst ball switch until another strike comes along,
advancing ratchet 332' another tooth and return
ing arm 3M to upper position.
In Figure 3 a suitable circuit for energizing
solenoid 3| 2 and effecting the operation of clutch
operating lever I32 is disclosed. Power lines L1
and L2 are connected to the high side of trans
former 331. From the low side of transformer
30?, power is conducted by conductor .394 to con
tacts I24 or I26, thence through contacts 35I
and 355 or through contacts 35I and 353, through
contact lever 3.4L contacts I55 and I54, conduc
tor 368, through the coil of solenoid M2 and con
ductor 3“! back to the low side of transformer
301. When this circuit is made, solenoid 382 is
energized and closes switch 3E3. This results
in establishing a circuit including power line L1,
conductor M6, the coil of solenoid I42, now closed
switch 3I3, conductor 3“! and power line L2,
which energizes solenoid I42, and as described
hereinabove, clutch lever I32 is moved to locate
nose I48 in position to engage shoulder Hit-a of
slide bolt H2 and interrupt the operation of cam
28, thereby preventing the operation of sweep R.
said resetters, means normally operative to close
said circuit unless said means is incapacitated by
a pin standing on said alley as a result of the .
45 ?rst ball of a frame thrown, and means for pre
venting operation of said mechanism if a pin
remaining standing on said alley after the ?rst
ball prevents movement of said elevator to said
position, said mechanism including a shaft, a cam
50 loosely mounted on said shaft, a driving member,
a clutch normally coupling said member to said
cam, and means for declutching said member
from said cam when said sweep is to be rendered
inactive.
I
3. In a bowling pin setting machine, a sweep
for removing fallen and unwanted pins from a
bowling alley, driving means for operating said
sweep after each ball of a frame thrown, a con
trol device for said driving means, a movable con
60 trol member, means moving said control member
in timed relation with said driving means, an
electric circuit connecting said device and mem
ber, spaced contacts on opposite sides of said
member, complementary contacts located in said
65 circuit for alternate engagement by said contacts
on said member, and means operable after the
throwing of the ?rst ball of a frame and knock
ing down of all pins on said alley for operating
said device to cause one or the other of said
Adjusting screws I36, mounted in projections I3‘! 70 contacts on said movable member to engage one
on a bracket I39, suitably attached to frame 2,
of said complementary contacts and be connected
are adjusted in desired positions to limit the ex
in said circuit.
tent of movement of lever I32.
4. In a bowling pin setting machine, a sweep
The invention above described. may be varied in
for removing fallen and unwanted pins from a
construction within the scope of the claims, for fit bowling alley, driving means for operating said
2,514,457
12
sweep after each ball of a frame thrown, a con
trol device for said driving means, a movable con
means operative upon completion of said circuit
to incapacitate said mechanism.‘
6. In a bowling pin setting machine for use
with a bowling alley having a pin supporting
surface, a pin handling device movable to and
from said surface, mechanism for removing pins
trol member, means moving said control member
in timed relation with said driving means, an elec
tric circuit connecting said device and member,
spaced contacts on opposite sides of said member,
complementary contacts located in said circuit for
from said surface, means for operating said mech
anism after the throwing of each ball of a frame
alternate engagement by said contacts on said
member, means operable after the throwing of the
along said surface, means for moving said device
?rst ball of a frame and knocking down of all 10 to a pin lifting position above ‘said surface, and
control means operative during the continued op
pins on said alley for operating said device to
eration of said machine if said device is prevented
cause one or the other of said contacts on said
from moving to said pin lifting position for in
movable member to engage one of said comple
mentary contacts and be connected in said cir
capacitating said mechanism, said control means
cuit, and means for incapacitating said driving 15 comprising a rotatable disc, an electric circuit,
control contacts carried by said disc, a ratchet
means whenever said circuit is completed.
5. In a bowling pin setting machine for use
relay connected in said circuit, a contact mem
ber operated by said relay to make said circuit
with a bowling alley having a pin supporting sur
through one‘ of said contacts on said disc, means
face, a pin handling device movable to and from
said surface, mechanism for removing pins from 20 operative upon completion of said circuit to in
capacitate said mechanism, and control elements
said surface, means for operating said mechanism
operative whenever said circuit remains broken
after the throwing of each ball of a frame along
for continuing the operation of said mechanism.
said surface, means for moving said device to a
GO'I‘TFRIED J. SCHMIDT.
pin lifting position above said surface, and con
trol means operative during the continued oper -25
REFERENCES CITED
ation of said machine if said device is prevented
from moving to said pin lifting position for inca
The following references are of record in the
pacitating said mechanism, said control means
file of this patent:
'
comprising a rotatable disc, an electric circuit,
UNITED STATES PATENTS
control contacts carried by said disc, a ratchet 80
Number
Name‘
Date
relay connected in said circuit, a contact mem
ber operated by said relay to make said circuit
through one of said contacts on said disc, and.
1,806,274
Williams‘ ________ __ May 19, 1931
2,388,708
Bates ______ __'______ Nov. 13, 1945