Patent ID: 6402629
Filing Date: 2002-06-11
Classification: A63D

Abstract:
A bowling alley comprising:a) a longitudinally extending lane disposed over a lane bed, wherein said longitudinally extending lane defines a flat horizontal bowling surface comprising a pin deck at one end; b) a pair of vertical side surfaces longitudinally extending along the sides of said lane bed, perpendicular to said flat horizontal surface, wherein a first vertical side surface extends along a first side of said lane bed and a second vertical side surface extends parallel to said first vertical side surface along an opposite side of said lane bed; c) a pair of longitudinally extending gutters disposed along said vertical side surfaces, wherein a first longitudinally extending gutter is disposed along a bottom edge of said first vertical side surface and a second longitudinally extending gutter is disposed along a bottom edge of said second vertical side surface; d) a bumper system comprising a pair of retractable bumpers, each of said retractable bumpers comprising at least one longitudinal rail and a plurality of pivot arms, each of said pivot arms comprising a top end and a bottom end, wherein said top end is pivotally affixed to said longitudinal rail and said bottom end comprising an integrated bushing, wherein a first retractable bumper is pivotally affixed to said first vertical side surface and a second retractable bumper is pivotally affixed to said second vertical side surface, such that said integrated bushings are disposed between said pivot arms and the associated vertical side surface; and e) at least one stop mechanism affixed to each of said first and said second vertical side surface, such that said stop mechanisms limits the rotation of said pivot arms.