Abstract:
A bowling pin release mechanism, which is used to release bowling pins onto the lane for the first ball, which is pin cell independent. As such, aside from the vertical, reciprocating motion of the frame structure on which it is mounted, does not require additional mechanical or electromechanical mechanisms or components for pin release and reset operations. The resettable pin support and release mechanisms are contained within the pin cell.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims one or more inventions which were disclosed in Provisional Application No. 61/731,660, filed Nov. 30, 2013, entitled “Self-Contained, Resettable Bowling Pin Release”. The benefit under 35 USC §119(e) of the United States provisional application is hereby claimed, and the aforementioned application is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The invention pertains to the field of bowling pinsetter or pinspotter machines. More particularly, the invention pertains to apparatus and mechanisms in said machines that release bowling pins from their support structures or holders during the operation that sets bowling pins onto the bowling lane playing surface in preparation for the first ball of a frame in the game of bowling. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    In the game of bowling, it is necessary to set or place the required number of bowling pins onto the bowling game playing surface in preparation for the first ball of a frame. When this act of setting the bowling pins onto the bowling game surface is completed, the bowling pins are vertically free standing on their assigned locations or spots on the game surface, undisturbed and ready for the first ball to be played. 
         [0006]    In the most manual of operations, this can be achieved by simply placing each pin, by hand, onto the playing surface in its assigned location. In early times, pin boys were employed to do this. 
         [0007]    Over time, semi-automatic bowling machines were developed and manufactured to reduce operator involvement in the operation that sets bowling pins onto the bowling lane surface. Human intervention was still necessary; the operators placed the bowling pins into the machine and manually operated the mechanism that set the bowling pins onto the lane surface. 
         [0008]    The advent of fully automatic pinsetters has resulted in substantially reduced operator involvement as the bowling pinsetting machines are able to perform all of the functions necessary for normal play of the game, including the function that sets and releases the bowling pins onto the lane surface. It is this area of pinsetter operation that is of interest in the context of the present invention. 
         [0009]    Bowling pinsetting machines contain bowling pin holders or supports. Depending on manufacturer make and model, said pin holders are called for example, cells, cups, chutes or buckets. 
         [0010]    These cells, chutes or buckets are typically mounted on or attached to a structure, sometimes called a table or deck, which has vertical reciprocating motion. A bowling pin distribution system delivers bowling pins to the pin cells, one pin per cell. In the operation that sets the bowling pins onto the bowling game surface, the deck or table descends to the game surface, the pins are released and remain free standing on the game surface as the table or deck returns to its resting position above the game surface. 
         [0011]    Bowling pinsetters heretofore have employed rather complex mechanical and electromechanical components and systems to set bowling pins onto the lane surface. This is due to the fact that the actual release of the pins from their cells is controlled and coordinated by mechanical or electromechanical pinsetter components that are external to the pin cells. These external mechanisms and devices control the motion and timing of the pin holders or supports such that they move in unison. 
         [0012]    For example, Prior Art  FIGS. 1   a - 1   e  and  2  show some of the mechanisms of the Brunswick A2 automatic pinsetter.  FIGS. 1   a - 1   e  show the moving deck assembly and shows that the frame upon which the pin chutes are mounted moves back and forth as a single unit during pin release.  FIG. 2  shows some of the connecting mechanisms which contribute to the motion of the moving deck. Not shown are other assembly components and mechanisms that are critical to the action of pin release, for example gear box, clutches, additional cams, cables and the like. 
         [0013]    In this sense then, the pin holders or supports can be thought of as passive devices. That is, other than the mechanisms that deliver the pin holders to the lane surface, additional pinsettter machine mechanisms or electromechanical components outside of the pin holders or supports are necessary to actually release the pins onto the lane surface. Thus, pin holders or supports respond to the external components and mechanisms to which they are connected. From the above descriptions it can be seen that there exists a commonality in pin release design among makes and models of bowling pinsetters: that in the act of releasing pins onto the bowling lane surface, the pin holders or supports depend on pinsetter mechanical or electromechanical components outside of the pin supports or holders themselves—the pin release is “not pin cell independent”. That is, when bowling pins are released from their cells or holders, timing, motion and positioning of the pin holders are dependent on pinsetter mechanisms and components that are external to the pin holders. 
         [0014]    Bowling pin release mechanisms are controlled by mechanical or electromechanical means such as camshafts, switches, cables, levers, linkages and the like in such a way that the pin cells, cups or chutes move or operate in a coordinated fashion in response to pinsetter mechanisms or electromechanical components that are external to the pin cells themselves. 
         [0015]    There is a need in the art, therefore, for a bowling pin release mechanism which is pin cell independent. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    This device is a bowling pin release mechanism, which is used to release bowling pins onto the lane for the first ball, which is pin cell independent. As such, aside from the vertical, reciprocating motion of the frame structure on which it is mounted, does not require additional mechanical or electromechanical mechanisms or components for pin release and reset operations. The resettable pin support and release mechanisms are contained within the pin cell. 
         [0017]    This device is meant to be a standalone release mechanism, so that, other than the mechanism that lowers it to the bowling lane surface, it does not require external mechanisms to make it operate (although it will be understood that this is not intended to exclude external mechanisms from the scope of the overall product within which the release mechanism will operate). Release of the bowling pin is caused by the mechanisms in the device contacting the bowling lane surface. The resetting of the release mechanism is caused by insertion of a bowling pin into the device. 
         [0018]    The novel self-contained resettable bowling pin release mechanism presented herein supports a single bowling pin in preparation to be set standing on the bowling lane surface. Release mechanisms within the cell contact the bowling lane surface, are triggered or engaged to release the bowling pin from its supports onto the lane surface. When the pin is released, it is free standing on the lane surface and there is sufficient clearance within the cell so as not to disturb the bowling pin. Reset mechanisms are triggered or engaged to reset the bowling pin supports when a bowling pin is inserted into the pin cell. Thus, inserting a bowling pin into the pin cell causes the reset mechanisms to move the supports into position to support the bowling pin. 
         [0019]    In a pinsetter machine, typically, ten such pin cell units would be mounted on a frame or structure that has vertical reciprocating motion. When the structure is stationary in the raised position above the bowling lane surface, bowling pins are inserted into the cells—one pin per cell. All pins are thus being supported within their cells. When the frame or structure is lowered to the bowling lane surface, the release mechanisms within the pin cells, acting independently of each other, are engaged, thus causing the bowling pins to be released from their cells. 
         [0020]    When the frame is raised above the lane surface, all pins have been released and are free standing on the bowling lane surface. Inserting ten pins into the cells, one pin per cell, engages the reset mechanism in each cell causing the release mechanism to be reset, thus supporting the pin that has just been inserted into the cell. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0021]      FIGS. 1   a - 1   e  show a prior art 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  shows a prior art 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a right front perspective of the device in the pin release position, with pin tube  12  removed, showing pivot locations P 13  and P 14 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a right rear perspective of the device in the pin release position, with pin tube  12  removed, showing pivot location P 13 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a right rear, detailed perspective of the device in the pin release position, with pin tube  12  removed, which shows release actuator  16 , release linkage assembly  17 , reset actuator  21 , reset return spring  19 , pin support  13 , release lever  18  and reset linkage  20 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a left rear perspective of the device in the pin release position, with pin tube  12  removed. 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a left front perspective of the device in the pin release position, with pin tube  12  removed. 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a front perspective showing pin cell  11  with pin tube  12  in place. 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  shows pin supports  13  and  14  in pin support position. 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  shows pin supports  13  and  14  in pin release position. 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  shows bowling pin being supported. Notice stop tab  15  preventing rotation of pin supports beyond horizontal. 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  shows side view of bowling pin being supported by pin supports  13  and  14 . 
           [0033]      FIGS. 13-24  show the steps in the release operation of a first embodiment of the invention. 
           [0034]      FIGS. 25-33  show the steps in the reset operation of a first embodiment of the invention. 
           [0035]      FIGS. 34-37  detail the mechanism at various stages of the release operation. 
           [0036]      FIGS. 38-41  show the stages of reset actuator  21  on the down stroke as reset linkage  20  rotates. 
           [0037]      FIGS. 42-44  show reset actuator  21  returning to its initial state due to reset return spring  19  at location P 20 - 2  of reset linkage  20 . 
           [0038]      FIGS. 45-49  show the steps in the release operation of a second embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0039]    Two embodiments of a novel bowling pin release/reset assembly are presented in this document. 
         [0040]    Referring to the figures, the principal components of the device are: bowling pin tube  12 , bowling pin supports  13  and  14 , stop tab  15 , release actuator  16 , release linkage assembly  17 , reset lever  18 , reset linkage assembly  20 , reset actuator  21 , and reset return spring  19 . The components are mounted on a frame. 
         [0041]    Pin supports  13  and  14  are rectangular surfaces. Material and thickness are such that when constructed as defined below, they will support a single bowling pin without undue flexing. 
         [0042]    Pin supports  13  and  14  each have a beveled B 13  and B 14 , somewhat semi-circular cutout SC 13  and SC 14  along their inside edges, as shown in  FIG. 9 . Bevels B 13  and B 14  conform slightly to the slope of the lower portion of a bowling pin, as shown in  FIG. 11 . Pin supports  13  and  14  are configured in such a way that when they are in pin support position, shown in  FIG. 9 , semi-circular cutouts SC 13  and SC 14  form a circular hole, H 1 . The diameter of circular hole H 1  formed by pin supports  13  and  14  is smaller than the diameter of the fattest part of the lower portion of a bowling pin, and is large enough that the bottom of the bowling pin extends beyond (below) pin supports  13  and  14 , as shown in  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12 . 
         [0043]    Pin supports  13  and  14  are pivotally mounted at P 13  and P 14 , as shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 9 . Pivot locations P 13  and P 14  enable pin supports  13  and  14  to freely rotate upward and outward during pin release operation and inward and downward during the reset operation. 
         [0044]    When pin supports are in pin release position, there is sufficient clearance such that pin cell  11  components do not interfere with released bowling pin during completion of release operation,  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 24 . The phrase ‘maximum outward rotation’ will be used to refer to this required clearance. When pin supports  13  and  14  are in pin support position, support stop tab  15  keeps pin supports  13  and  14  in pin support position,  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 11 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 9  shows pin supports  13  and  14  in pin support position. Notice the slight bevels B 13  and B 14  on the inner semi-circular surfaces SC 13  and SC 14  of pin supports  13  and  14 . Bevels B 13  and B 14  serve to somewhat match the curvature of the bottom part of a bowling pin when it is being supported.  FIG. 10  shows pin supports  13  and  14  in pin release position, stop tab  15  is also shown.  FIGS. 11-12  show bowling pin being supported by pin supports  13  and  14 . 
       Release Operation 
     First Embodiment 
       [0046]    Referring to  FIGS. 13-24 , assume the bowling pin cell  11  is mounted to a frame structure, or table that can be lowered to and raised from the bowling lane surface. With the table in the raised position and pin supports  13  and  14  in the horizontal, pin support position, a pin is placed into pin tube  12 . Support stop tab  15  prevents unwanted downward rotation of supports  13  and  14 . Supported bowling pin and release actuator  16  both extend below pin cell  11 . However, the pin extends a greater distance below release actuator  16 . In this configuration the pin is supported in pin cell  11  by supports  13  and  14 , and is ready to be released, as shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0047]    When the table is lowered to the lane surface, the bowling pin contacts the lane surface before release actuator  16 . Further downward travel causes the pin to be free standing, no longer supported by supports  13  and  14 ,  FIG. 14 . Continued downward table travel causes release actuator  16  to contact the lane surface, as shown in  FIG. 15 . Release actuator  16  engages release linkage assembly  17  causing supports  13  and  14  to begin outward rotation, as shown in  FIG. 16 . 
         [0048]    Outward rotation of supports  13  and  14  continues as the table continues downward travel. During this continued outward rotation of supports  13  and  14 , there is sufficient clearance that supports  13  and  14  do not disturb the bowling pin that is free standing on the lane surface, as shown in  FIGS. 16-23 . 
         [0049]    When the table has reached maximum downward travel and pin cell  11  is on the lane surface, supports  13  and  14  are in release position, that is, they have reached maximum outward rotation and the bowling pin is free standing on the bowling lane surface completely free of pin cell  11  components, as shown in  FIG. 24 . 
         [0050]    Further, when the table structure ascends above the lane surface, free standing bowling pin is not disturbed by pin cell  11  or any of its components. Bowling pin is considered released and ready for play of the game. 
       Reset Operation 
     First Embodiment 
       [0051]    Referring to  FIGS. 25-33 , assume pin supports  13  and  14  are in the release position, that is, their maximum outward rotation. The bowling pin is inserted into pin tube  12 , as shown in  FIG. 25 . 
         [0052]    As pin travels through pin tube  12 , fattest part of pin contacts reset lever  18 , as shown in  FIG. 26 . Reset lever  18  engages reset linkage  20 . 
         [0053]    Reset linkage  20  begins to rotate, as shown in  FIG. 27 . Rotation of reset linkage  20  causes reset actuator  21  to move downward. Reset actuator  21  thus engages release linkage assembly  17  at pivot location P 17 , causing pin supports  13  and  14  to begin inward rotation toward their pin support positions, as shown in  FIGS. 28-30 . 
         [0054]    There is sufficient clearance that bowling pin downward travel does not interfere with inward rotation of pin supports  13  and  14 . Pin supports  13  and  14  inward rotation stops at pin support position by stop tab  15  (not visible in  FIGS. 25-33 ). 
         [0055]    Bowling pin travel ceases when it comes into contact with pin supports  13  and  14 . Fattest part of bowling pin is now beyond reset lever  18 . Reset return spring  19  causes reset lever  18  to return to reset position in pin tube  12 . In addition, reset return spring  19  causes reset linkage  20  to return to reset position, as shown in  FIGS. 31-33 . The bowling pin is now ready to be released. 
       Release Mechanism 
     First Embodiment 
       [0056]      FIGS. 34-37  detail the mechanism at various stages of the release operation. 
         [0057]    The release linkage assembly  17  employs a series of connected, pivoting levers that rotate pin supports  13  and  14  outward about pivot points P 13  and P 14  during the pin release operation. Reciprocating motion of release actuator  16  engages pivoting levers of release linkage assembly  17 . 
         [0058]    The advantage of this particular configuration is that with properly chosen geometry of the pivoting levers, when release actuator  16  is fully engaged, pin supports  13  and  14  are at maximum outward rotation and connecting levers of release linkage assembly  17  are fully extended. 
         [0059]    In this way the mechanism is for all practical purposes locked and thus will prevent release supports  13  and  14  from inadvertently returning to support position and interfering with the bowling pin before the release operation has completed. 
         [0060]    It will be understood, however, that this release configuration requires a number of components whose relationships are important to the release operation. 
       Reset Mechanism 
     First Embodiment 
       [0061]    In this configuration, in order to reset the mechanism, that is, return pin supports  13  and  14  to pin support position, reset actuator  21  exerts downward force on release assembly  17  at pivot P 17 . Pivot location P 17  is convenient because there is substantial leverage and very little movement is required to return pin supports  13  and  14  to pin support position. Thus, reset linkage assembly  20  does not need to rotate a great distance for reset actuator  21  to effectively move pivot P 17 . Notice too, that in this configuration, reset linkage  20  pivot P 20  is below reset lever pivot P 20 - 2 , the location where reset lever  18  engages reset linkage  20 . 
         [0062]    When reset lever  18  moves, reset linkage  20  rotation is such that reset actuator  21  movement is downward. 
         [0063]      FIGS. 38-41  illustrate reset actuator  21  on the down stroke as reset linkage  20  rotates. This motion causes pin supports  13  and  14  to return to pin support position. 
         [0064]    Reset actuator  21  contains a slot S 21  at the upper portion where it interacts with reset actuator pivot P 20 - 3 . When reset linkage  20  rotates, P 20 - 3  contacts the bottom part of slot S 21  thus causing reset actuator  21  to move downward. This downward movement causes P 17  to close release linkage assembly  17 , thus returning pin supports  13  and  14  to their pin release position. 
         [0065]      FIGS. 42-44  illustrate reset actuator  21  returning to its initial state due to reset return spring  19  at location P 20 - 2  of reset linkage  20 . Notice that reset actuator slot S 21  allows pivot P 20 - 3  to return when reset return spring rotates reset linkage at P 20  without causing reset actuator  21  to move out of position. In this way slot S 21  serves somewhat as a yoke mechanism. 
       Release/Reset Mechanisms 
     Second Embodiment 
       [0066]    Referring to  FIGS. 45-49 , a second embodiment of the release mechanism eliminates release assembly  17  and release actuator  16  in favor of rounded release cams  30  on the underside of pin supports  13  and  14 . These release cams  30  are near pivot locations P 13  and P 14  of pin supports  13  and  14 . 
         [0067]      FIGS. 45-48  illustrate the release operation in this embodiment. Release cams  30  cause pin supports  13  and  14  to rotate outward about pivot locations P 13  and P 14  when they come in contact with the bowling lane surface. 
         [0068]    As the device lowers onto the lane surface, pin supports  13  and  14  rotate outward where they come into contact with pivoting latches  24 . Pivoting latches  24  pivot about P 24 . Latches  24  are limited in their inward rotation by latch tabs  23 . 
         [0069]    As pin supports  13  and  14  continue outward rotation, they come into contact with latches  24  which rotate outward and upward. 
         [0070]    There is sufficient clearance between pin supports  13  and  14  and latches  24  such that pin supports  13  and  14  rotate beyond latches  24 . When that occurs, latches  24  freely rotate downward where they are stopped by latch tabs  23 . Pin supports  13  and  14  are now held in place by latches  24 . 
         [0071]      FIG. 49  shows the positioning of the components when reset linkage  20  is in upward rotation. To reset pin supports  13  and  14 , the action of reset lever  18  is the same as the first embodiment, that is, movement of reset lever  18  causes reset linkage  20  to rotate. 
         [0072]    However, in this embodiment, rotation of reset linkage  20  causes reset actuator  21  to move upwards rather than downwards. This causes latches  24  to move up away from pin supports  13  and  14 . 
         [0073]    Pin supports  13  and  14  are then able to freely rotate inward, no longer being supported by latches  24 . Pin supports  13  and  14  rotate back to their pin support position. 
         [0074]    At this point, the device is considered reset, ready for the pin to be released. 
         [0075]    Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention herein described are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claims, which themselves recite those features regarded as essential to the invention. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 TABLE OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 11 
                 bowling pin cell 
               
               
                   
                 12 
                 bowling pin tube 
               
               
                   
                 13 
                 bowling pin support 
               
               
                   
                 14 
                 bowling pin support 
               
               
                   
                 15 
                 support stop tab 
               
               
                   
                 16 
                 release actuator 
               
               
                   
                 17 
                 release linkage assembly 
               
               
                   
                 18 
                 reset lever 
               
               
                   
                 19 
                 reset return spring 
               
               
                   
                 20 
                 reset linkage assembly 
               
               
                   
                 20A 
                 Side view of reset linkage assembly 
               
               
                   
                 21 
                 reset actuator 
               
               
                   
                 30 
                 release cam 
               
               
                   
                 B13 
                 beveled edge of pin support 13 
               
               
                   
                   
                 semi-circular cutout SC13 
               
               
                   
                 B14 
                 beveled edge of pin support 14 
               
               
                   
                   
                 semi-circular cutout SC14 
               
               
                   
                 H1 
                 circular hole formed by semi-circular 
               
               
                   
                   
                 cutouts SC13 and SC14 when pin 
               
               
                   
                   
                 supports 13 and 14 are in pin 
               
               
                   
                   
                 support position 
               
               
                   
                 P13 
                 bowling pin support 13 pivot 
               
               
                   
                 P14 
                 bowling pin support 14 pivot 
               
               
                   
                 P17 
                 release linkage assembly 17 reset 
               
               
                   
                   
                 pivot 
               
               
                   
                 P20 
                 reset linkage 20 pivot 
               
               
                   
                 P20-2 
                 reset lever 18 pivot 
               
               
                   
                 P20-3 
                 reset actuator 21 pivot 
               
               
                   
                 S21 
                 reset actuator 21 slot 
               
               
                   
                 SC13 
                 pin support 13 semi-circular cutout 
               
               
                   
                 SC14 
                 pin support 14 semi-circular cutout