Retractable protector member for bowling lane approach section

The present invention relates to a bowling game system in which a play is possible without changing into bowling shoes. A bowling game system 1 includes: an approach 10 for allowing a player to carry out a bowling action; a lane 11 extending from the approach 10 and on which a ball bowled by the player rolls; a plurality of pins 12 arranged and placed on an end of the lane 11 opposite a side of the approach 10; trough-like gutters 13 provided paralleling both sides of the lane 11 to receive a ball slipping off the lane 11; a protection member 20, formed in a sheet-like shape, for covering a bowling action zone, the protection member 20 being laid in the bowling action zone of the player, the bowling action zone being on a top surface of the approach 10; and a protection-member installing mechanism 30 configured with a wind-in device 31 for winding in and collecting the protection member 20 in a retracting position outside the bowling action zone and a withdrawing device 34 for withdrawing the protection member 20 from the wind-in device 31 to a position covering the bowling action zone.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a bowling game system in which for enjoyment a ball is rolled down a lane at a head of which a plurality of pins are arranged and placed, and the pins are knocked down by the rolling ball.

BACKGROUND ART

Such bowling game systems are configured with: an approach where players carry out a bowling action; a lane extending from the approach and on which the ball bowled by the player rolls; a plurality of pins placed on an end of the lane opposite a side of the approach; and trough-like gutters provided paralleling both sides of the lane to receive the ball slipping off the lane. Players enjoy the game by competing with each other for a higher score that depends on the number of pins they knock down (see Patent document 1).

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Problem Invention is to Solve

Normally, when a player plays the bowling, for example, as described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-49477, there is a need of changing into bowling shoes. However, at this time, most of the players do not have their own shoes, and thus, the players need to borrow and use rental shoes available at a bowling alley.

The reason for changing into the bowling shoes is to protect the approach and to become functional in playing the bowing. However, the bowling shoes available at the bowling alley have various problems. For example, these shoes are used by an unspecified number of players or are not excellent in design. Therefore, there are many players who feel reluctant to change into the rental bowling shoes. Some players desire to play more easily without a need of changing the shoes. Further, when the rental bowling shoes are borrowed, a rental fee needs to be paid, which results in a factor leading to an increased playing charge.

The present invention has been achieved in view of the aforementioned circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a bowling game system capable of playing without changing into bowling shoes.

Means for Resolving the Problem

To achieve the above-described object, the present invention relates to a bowling game system, comprising:

an approach for allowing a player to carry out a bowling action; a lane extending from the approach and on which the ball bowled by the player rolls; a plurality of pins arranged and placed on an end of the lane opposite a side of the approach; and trough-like gutters provided paralleling both sides of the lane to receive a ball slipping off the lane, the bowling game system, further comprising:

a protection member, formed in a sheet-like shape, for covering a bowling action zone, the protection member being laid in the bowling action zone of the player, the bowling action zone being on a top surface of the approach; and

a protection-member installing mechanism for carrying out an action of moving the protection member to a position covering the bowling action zone and an action of moving the protection member to a retracting position outside the bowling action zone.

According to the present invention, when the player does not change into bowling shoes, the protection member is moved in the bowling action zone on the top surface of the approach by the protection-member installing mechanism, and thereby, the protection member is laid in the bowling action zone to cover the bowling action zone. Thereafter, the player carries out a bowling action in the bowling action zone on the top surface of the approach covered with the protection member with his own shoes on. In this way, the player can play a bowling game by bowling a ball onto the lane so as to strike the ball against the pins to be knocked down.

On the other hand, when the player changes into the bowling shoes, the protection member is moved to the retracting position outside the bowling action zone by the protection-member installing mechanism. Thereby, the top surface of the approach is in an exposed state. Thereafter, the player carries out the bowling action in the bowling action zone on the top surface of the approach not covered with the protection member to bowl the ball onto the lane, and in this way, the player can play the bowling game.

Thus, according to the bowling game system of the present invention, when the protection member is laid in the bowling action zone on the top surface of the approach by the protection-member installing mechanism, the player can play with his own shoes on without changing into bowling shoes. This eliminates the reluctance to change into shoes put on by others and shoes poor in design, which allows the player to play more comfortably, the player is allowed to play more easily because there is no need of changing the shoes, and a playing charge can be lowered because there is no need of paying a rental fee of the bowling shoes.

The protection-member installing mechanism may be configured with: winding-in means for winding in the protection member, the winding-in means being provided outside the bowling action zone and being connected with one end of the protection member; and withdrawing means for withdrawing the protection member from the winding-in means, the withdrawing means being connected with an end of the protection member opposite a side of a connection of the winding-in means, and the protection-member installing mechanism may be so configured that the protection member is wound out by the withdrawing means to within the bowling action zone and the protection member present within the bowling action zone is wound and collected by the winding-in means to the retracting position.

Further, the protection-member installing mechanism may be configured with driving means that is connected to the protection member, for sliding and moving the protection member in a first direction parallel to a surface of the protection member so as to move the protection member to the bowling action zone while sliding and moving the protection member in a second direction opposite the first direction so as to move the protection member to the retracting position. In this case, the protection-member installing mechanism may be configured to further include guiding means for guiding the movement of the protection member in the first direction and the second direction.

In this way, when the protection-member installing mechanism is configured with the winding-in means and the withdrawing means, or the driving means, the protection member can be effectively moved between the bowling action zone and the retracting position. The provision of the guiding means secures a smooth movement of the protection member, which is preferable for moving the protection member.

The bowling game system may be configured to further include clamping means for clamping at least one portion of a periphery of the protection member laid in the bowling action zone, on the top surface of the approach. In this way, the periphery of the protection member can be clamped on the top surface of the approach by the clamping means. This clamping prevents the protection member from moving and being turned over at a time of bowling by the player, thereby, enabling the player to play safely, and also from being damaged resulting from the approach being directly treaded by the player.

The protection member is not limited to a member having flexibility and may be configured with a member not having flexibility. Further, the protection member may be configured with a film-shaped, sponge-shaped, or rubber-shaped member, or may be configured by joining a plurality of plate-shaped members in a predetermined direction.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

As described above, according to the bowling game system of the present invention, it is possible to play without changing into the bowling shoes, and thus, the player can enjoy the bowling game more comfortably, more easily, and more reasonably, as compared to the conventional technique.

LEGEND

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to accompanying drawings, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below.FIG. 1is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a bowling game system according to one embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2is a plan view illustrating the bowling game system shown inFIG. 1.FIG. 3andFIG. 4are cross-sectional views as viewed in the arrow A-A direction inFIG. 2.FIG. 5andFIG. 6are cross-sectional views as viewed in the arrow B-B direction inFIG. 3.

As illustrated inFIG. 1toFIG. 6, a bowling game system1of this embodiment includes: an approach10for allowing a player to carry out a bowling action; a lane11extending from the approach10and on which a ball bowled by the player rolls; ten pins12arranged and placed on an end of the lane11opposite an approach10side; trough-like gutters13provided paralleling both sides of the lane11; a protection member20laid in a player's bowling action zone on a top surface of the approach10so as to cover the bowling action zone; a protection-member installing mechanism30for moving the protection member20to a position that covers the bowling action zone and a retracting position outside the bowling action zone; and a clamping mechanism25for clamping the protection member20laid in the bowling action zone on the top surface of the approach10. The bowling game system1is configured with plural sets of these components placed adjacently in the horizontal direction.

A separator14is provided between the gutters13positioned parallel and adjacent to each other. Play zones each configured with the lane11and the gutters13are separated each other by the separator14. A partition wall15is provided between the gutters13on both sides of where the pins12are placed. The play zones also are separated by the partition wall15. A cover16is provided over the lane11between the partition walls15, and the ten pins12are placed on the lane11in a space surrounded by this cover16and the partition walls15. The approach10, the lane11, the gutters13, etc., are appropriately arranged on an installing surface S.

The protection member20is formed in a sheet-like shape and a rectangular shape, and configured to have flexibility. Both sides of the protection member20in the width direction are provided parallel with a lengthwise direction of the lane11. A length in the width direction of the protection member20is formed to be approximately equal to a distance between the separators14.

The protection-member installing mechanism30is provided outside the bowling action zone, and is configured with a wind-in device31for winding in the protection member20and a withdrawing device34for withdrawing the protection member20from the wind-in device31.

The wind-in device31is so placed that an axis thereof is parallel with the width direction of the lane1, and includes: a wind-in drum32, connected with one end side of the protection member20, for winding in the protection member20; a spring body (not shown) for biasing the wind-in drum32to a predetermined winding-in direction (an arrow direction inFIG. 4); and a case33, provided on the installing surface S to contact a side surface of an end of the approach10opposite a side of the lane11, for containing therein the wind-in drum32and the spring body (not shown).

The case33is so formed that its side surface on a side contacting the approach10is opened and a ceiling surface of an internal space is higher than the top surface of the approach10. From an opening33aformed between the ceiling surface and the top surface of the approach10, the protection member20is pulled in and out. The case33rotatably supports the wind-in drum32.

The withdrawing device34includes: wire ropes35of which the one end sides are each connected to portions serving not only as width-direction both ends of the protection member20but also serving as ends opposite a connection side of the wind-in drum32; wind-in drums37of which the axes are placed parallel with the width direction of the lane11, the wind-in drums37, being connected with the other ends of the wire ropes35via pulleys36, for winding in the wire ropes35; drive motors38for rotating the wind-in drums37about their axes; and cases39, arranged on the side of the approach10of the separator14, for containing therein the pulleys36, the wind-in drums37, and the drive motors38. Two pulleys36, wind-in drums37, drive motors38, and cases39are each provided to correspond to each wire rope35.

The cases39are so formed that its lower-surface height position is placed to be higher than the top surface of the approach10and its lower surface is opened. The cases39rotatably support the pulleys36and the wind-in drums37. The cases39contain therein also the pulley36, the wind-in drums37, and the drive motors38, each of which components serves to withdraw the protection member20that covers the bowling action zone related to the adjacent lane11.

According to the protection-member installing mechanism30, as shown inFIG. 3, when the wind-in drum37is rotated by the drive motor38of the withdrawing device34in a winding-in direction (arrow direction) of the wire rope35, the wire rope35is wound onto the wind-in drum37. As a result, the wind-in drum32of the wind-in device31is rotated to a winding-out direction (arrow direction) of the protection member20against a biasing force of the spring body (not shown), and thereby, the protection member20that has been wound onto the wind-in drum32is wound out within the bowling action zone. As a result, the protection member20is laid in the bowling action zone. The protection member20is wound out until an tip end thereof (end on the lane11side) reaches a borderline between the approach10and the lane11.

On the other hand, as shown inFIG. 4, when the wind-in drum37is rotated by the drive motor38of the withdrawing device34in a winding-out direction of the wire rope35(arrow direction), the wire rope35is wound out from the wind-in drum37. As a result, the wind-in drum32of the wind-in device31is rotated by the biasing force of the spring body (not shown) in a winding-in direction (arrow direction) of the protection member20, and thereby, the protection member20that has been wound out within the bowling action zone is wound onto the wind-in drum32. Thereby, the protection member20is collected in a retracting position. The protection member20is wound until the tip end thereof (end on the lane11side) is in a state of being pulled out slightly from the case33.

The clamping mechanism25is that which presses on four corners of the protection member20laid in the bowling action zone to fix the protection member20on the top surface of the approach10, and is configured with: pressing members26for pressing, attached on the top surface of the approach10pivotally about their axes parallel with the lengthwise direction of the lane11, the pressing members26being in contact with a surface of the protection member20; spring bodies (not shown) for biasing the pressing members26in a direction apart from the surface of the protection member20(arrow direction inFIG. 6); and drive cylinders27, arranged below the pressing members26, which each includes an elevating rod27ain contact with the pressing member26. The drive cylinders27are each placed within a containing hole10athat is opened to the top surface of the approach10and is provided respectively on width-direction both sides of the protection member20at the wind-in device31side and the withdrawing device34side.

According to the clamping mechanism25, as shown inFIG. 5, when the elevating rod27aof the drive cylinder27is raised, the pressing member26is pivoted against a biasing force of the spring body (not shown) in a surface side (arrow direction) of the protection member20. Thereby, the surface of the protection member20is forced down on the top surface of the approach10, and as a result, the protection member20is fixed.

On the other hand, as shown inFIG. 6, when the elevating rod27aof the drive cylinder27is descended, the pressing member26is pivoted by the biasing force of the spring body (not shown) in a direction apart from the surface of the protection member20(arrow direction). Thereby, the clamping of the protection member20by the pressing member26is canceled.

The protection-member installing mechanism30and the clamping mechanism25are controlled to clamp the protection member20after winding out the protection member20to the bowling action zone, and to wind in the protection member20after canceling the clamping of the protection member20.

According to the thus-configured bowling game system1of this embodiment, when a player who does not change into bowling shoes plays, for example, if a laying execution button not shown is appropriately depressed, and so on, the protection-member installing mechanism30and the clamping mechanism25are driven. Thereby, the protection member20is wound out by the withdrawing device34of the protection-member installing mechanism30to the bowling action zone. As a result, the bowling action zone is covered with the protection member20, and the protection member20is fixed by the clamping mechanism25on the top surface of the approach10.

Thereafter, the player, with his own shoes on, carries out a bowling action in the bowling action zone on the top surface of the approach10covered with the protection member20, and plays a bowling game by bowling a ball onto the lane11so as to strike the ball against the pins12to be knocked down.

On the other hand, when a player who changes into bowling shoes plays, for example, if a laying cancel button not shown is appropriately depressed, and so on, the protection-member installing mechanism30and the clamping mechanism25are driven. Thereby, the clamping of the protection member20by the clamping mechanism25is canceled, and the protection member20is wound by the wind-in device31of the protection-member installing mechanism30.

Thereafter, the player carries out a bowling action in the bowling action zone on the top surface of the approach10not covered with the protection member20, and bowls the ball onto the lane11so as to play the bowling game.

In this way, according to the bowling game system1of this embodiment, when the protection member20is laid by the protection-member installing mechanism30in the bowling action zone on the top surface of the approach10, the player can play with his own shoes on without changing into bowling shoes. This eliminates the reluctance to change into shoes put on by others and shoes poor in design, which allows the player to play more comfortably, the player is allowed to play more easily because there is no need of changing the shoes, and a playing charge can be lowered because there is no need of paying a rental fee of the bowling shoes.

Further, by the clamping mechanism25, the four corners of the protection member20laid in the bowling action zone are pressed on to fix the protection member20on the top surface of the approach10. This clamping prevents the protection member20from moving and being turned over at a time of bowling by the player, thereby, enabling the player to play safely, and also from being damaged resulting from the approach10being directly treaded by the player.

As described above, one embodiment of the present invention is described, and a specific mode in which the present invention can be implemented is not limited thereto at all.

In the above-described embodiment, the protection-member installing mechanism30is configured with the wind-in device31and the withdrawing device34, but the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, the protection-member installing mechanism30may be a protection-member installing mechanism50as shown inFIG. 7toFIG. 9or a protection-member installing mechanism70as shown inFIG. 10toFIG. 13or a protection-member installing mechanism80as shown inFIG. 14.

The protection-member installing mechanism50, as shown inFIG. 7toFIG. 9, is configured with: a first drive device51and a second drive device57, each connected to the both ends in the lengthwise direction of the lane11of the protection member20, for moving the protection member20; and a roller60, provided between the first drive device51and the second drive device57in a moving direction of the protection member20, for reversing the moving direction of the protection member20.

The first drive device51includes: wire ropes52of which the one end sides are each connected to portions serving not only as the width-direction both ends of the protection member20but also serving as ends on the lane11side; wind-in drums54of which the axes are placed parallel with the width direction of the lane11, the wind-in drums54, being connected with the other ends of the wire ropes52via pulleys53, for winding the wire ropes52; drive motors55for rotating the wind-in drums54about their axes; and cases56, arranged on the approach10side of the separator14, for containing therein the pulleys53, the wind-in drums54, and the drive motors55. Two pulleys53, wind-in drums54, drive motors55, and cases56are each provided to correspond to each wire rope52.

The cases56are so formed that a ceiling surface of its internal space is higher than the top surface of the approach10and above the top surface of the approach10, of the side surface on the approach10side, an opening56ais formed. From this opening56a, the wire ropes52are pulled in and out. The cases56support rotatably the pulleys53and the wind-in drums54. The cases56contain therein also the pulleys53, the wind-in drum54, and the drive motor55, for moving the protection member20related to the adjacent lane11.

The second drive device57includes: wire ropes58of which the one end sides are each connected to portions serving not only as the width-direction both ends of the protection member20but also serving as ends opposite the connections side of the wire rope52of the first drive device51; wind-in drums59, of which the axes are placed parallel with the width direction of the lane11, and which are supported rotatably about their axes, the wind-in drums59, being connected with the other end sides of the wire ropes58, for winding the wire ropes58; and drive motors (not shown) for rotating the wind-in drums59about the axes. The wind-in drums59and the drive motors (not shown) are contained within a containing hole10bopening to a side surface of an end opposite the lane11side of the approach10. Two wind-in drums59and drive motors (not shown) are each provided to correspond to each wire rope58.

The roller60is so formed that its axis is placed parallel with the width direction of the lane11and its outer circumferential surface is placed in contact with a bottom surface of the protection member20, and is supported rotatably inside the case61provided on the installing surface S so as to contact the side surface of the end of the approach10opposite the lane11side. On the both ends of the roller60, grooves60afor hanging the wire ropes58of the second drive devices57are formed.

The case61is so formed that a side surface on a side contacting the approach10is opened so that the internal space and the containing hole10bof the approach10are provided in a communicated state, and a ceiling surface of the internal space is higher than the top surface of the approach10. From an opening61aformed between the ceiling surface and the top surface of the approach10, the protection member20is pulled in and out.

According to the thus-configured protection-member installing mechanism50, as shown inFIG. 8, when the wind-in drums54are rotated by the drive motors55of the first drive devices51in a winding-in direction (arrow direction) of the wire ropes52, the wire ropes52are wound onto the wind-in drums54, and when the wind-in drums59are rotated by the drive motors (not shown) of the second drive devices57in a winding-out direction (arrow direction) of the wire ropes58, the wire ropes58are wound out from the wind-in drum59. As a result, the protection member20in the retracting position is moved to the bowling action zone. At this time, the protection member20slides and moves in the lengthwise direction of the lane11on a top surface portion of the approach10, and is moved until a tip end (end on the lane11side) of the protection member20reaches a borderline between the approach10and the lane11. Thereby, the protection member20is sent out to the bowling action zone so as to be laid therein.

On the other hand, as shown inFIG. 9, when the wind-in drums54are rotated by the drive motors55of the first drive devices51in a winding-out direction (arrow direction) of the wire ropes52, the wire ropes52are wound out from the wind-in drums54, and when the wind-in drums59are rotated in a winding-in direction (arrow direction) of the wire ropes58by the drive motors (not shown) of the second drive devices57, the wire ropes58are wound onto the wind-in drums59. As a result, the protection member20in the bowling action zone is moved to the retracting position formed by the containing hole10bof the approach10and the internal space of the case61. At this time, the protection member20slides and moves parallel with the lengthwise direction of the lane11on the top surface portion of the approach10, and is moved until the tip end (end on the lane11side) of the protection member20is contained within the case61. Thereby, the protection member20is pulled in the retracting position.

The protection-member installing mechanism70, as shown inFIG. 10toFIG. 13, is configured with: a first roller71, a second roller72, and a third roller73, of which the axes are placed parallel with the width direction of the lane11, for moving the protection member20; a drive motor74for rotating the first roller71about its axis; a case75, provided on the installing surface S so as to contact the side surface on the end of the approach10opposite the lane11side, for containing therein the first roller71, the second roller72, the third roller73, and the drive motor74; and a guiding mechanism76for guiding the movement of the protection member20.

The first roller71is so supported rotatably about its axis by the case75that an outer circumferential surface of the first roller71is in contact with the bottom surface of the protection member20. The second roller72and the third roller73are so supported rotatably about its axes by the case75that outer circumferential surfaces of these rollers are in contact with the surface of the protection member20. As a result, the protection member20is in a state of being sandwiched by each of these rollers71,72, and73.

The case75is so formed that a side surface on a side contacting the approach10is opened, its internal space and the containing hole10bthat is opened to the side surface on the end of the approach10opposite the lane11side are provided in a communicated state, and a ceiling surface of the internal space is higher than the top surface of the approach10. From an opening75aformed between the ceiling surface and the top surface of the approach10, the protection member20is pulled in and out.

The guiding mechanism76is formed by: a first guiding member77provided on the top surface of the approach10and provided upright to have a constant distance in a direction parallel to the width direction of the lane11; and a second guiding member78provided within the containing hole10bof the approach10and provided to have a constant distance in a direction parallel to the width direction of the lane11. The first guiding member77and the second guiding member78are formed parallel with the lengthwise direction of the lane11, and are engaged with the width-direction both ends of the protection member20so as to guide the movement of the protection member20in the lengthwise direction of the lane11. The reason for the provision of the guiding members77and78is to secure a smooth movement of the protection member20, which is preferable for moving the protection member20.

According to the thus-configured protection-member installing mechanism70, as shown inFIG. 11, when the first roller71is rotated in an arrow direction by the drive motor74, the protection member20in the retracting position is guided by the first guiding member77and the second guiding member78to be moved to the bowling action zone. At this time, the protection member20slides and moves parallel with the lengthwise direction of the lane11on the top surface portion of the approach10, and is moved until a tip end (end on the lane11side) of the protection member20reaches a borderline between the approach10and the lane11. Thereby, the protection member20is sent out to the bowling action zone so as to be laid therein.

On the other hand, as shown inFIG. 12, when the first roller71is rotated by the drive motor74in the arrow direction, the protection member20in the bowling action zone is guided by the first guiding member77and the second guiding member78to be moved to the retracting position formed by the containing hole10bof the approach10and the internal space of the case75. At this time, the protection member20sidles and moves parallel with the lengthwise direction of the lane11on the top surface portion of the approach10, and is moved until the tip end (end on the lane11side) of the protection member20is in a state of being slightly pulled out from the case75. Thereby, the protection member20is pulled in the retracting position.

The protection-member installing mechanism80, as shown inFIG. 14, is so placed that an axis thereof is parallel with the lengthwise direction of the lane11, and is configured with: a first roller81, second rollers82, and third rollers83, for moving the protection member20; and a drive motor (not shown) for rotating the first roller81about its axis. In the approach10, an upwardly protruding protrusion10cis formed at an approximately same position as that of the separator14in the width direction of the lane11, and on one side surface of the protrusion10cin a direction parallel to the width direction of the lane11, a containing hole10dfor containing the first roller81, the second rollers82, the third rollers83, the drive motor (not shown), or the protection member20is opened.

The first roller81is placed rotatably about its axis near an opening of the containing hole10dand is so configured that an outer circumferential surface is in contact with the bottom surface of the protection member20; the second rollers82are placed rotatably about their axes above the first roller81and one of the third rollers83, and are so configured that outer circumferential surfaces are in contact with the surface of the protection member20; and the third rollers83are placed rotatably about their axes and at a predetermined distance in the width direction of the lane11, and are so configured that outer circumferential surfaces are in contact with the bottom surface of the protection member20. As a result, the protection member20is in a state of being sandwiched by each of these rollers81,82, and83.

According to the thus-configured protection-member installing mechanism80, as shown inFIG. 14, when the first roller81is rotated by the drive motor (not shown) in the arrow F direction, the protection member20in the retracting position is moved to the bowling action zone. At this time, the protection member20slides and moves parallel with the width direction of the lane11on the top surface portion of the approach10, and is moved until the tip end of the protection member20approaches the other side surface of the protrusion10crelated to the adjacent lane11in a direction parallel to the width direction of the lane11. Thereby, the protection member20is sent out to the bowling action zone so as to be laid therein.

On the other hand, as shown inFIG. 14, when the first roller81is rotated in the arrow G direction by the drive motor (not shown), the protection member20in the bowling action zone is moved within the containing hole10dof the approach10, which is the retracting position. At this time, the protection member20slides and moves parallel with the width direction of the lane11on the top surface portion of the approach10, and is moved until the tip end of the protection member20is contained in the containing hole10d. Thereby, the protection member20is pulled in the retracting position.

A configuration of the clamping mechanism25may not be limited to that in the above-described embodiment, and the clamping mechanism25may be configured as shown inFIG. 10toFIG. 13, for example. A clamping mechanism90shown inFIG. 10toFIG. 13is configured with: pressing members91for contacting and pressing the surface of the protection member20; and drive cylinders92, each arranged on the top surface of the approach10and on both sides in the width direction of the lane11side of the protection member20, the drive cylinders92being including, at lower ends, elevating rods92afor supporting the pressing members91.

According to the thus-configured clamping mechanism90, as shown inFIG. 11andFIG. 13, when the elevating rods92aof the drive cylinders92are descended, the pressing members91contact the surface of the protection member20and the surface of the protection member20is forced down on the top surface of the approach10. Thereby, the protection member20is fixed.

On the other hand, as shown inFIG. 12andFIG. 13, when the elevating rods92aof the drive cylinders92are raised, the pressing members91are kept apart from the surface of the protection member20. Thereby, the clamping of the protection member20by the pressing members91is canceled.

The clamping mechanism25or the clamping mechanism90may adopt a flat structure that does not greatly protrude from the top surface of the approach10, if possible.

In each of the protection-member installing mechanisms30,50,70, and80, the direction in which the protection member20is moved is exemplary, and is not limited. In each of the protection-member installing mechanisms30and50, the wire ropes35and52are provided above the approach10, but are not limited thereto. A groove may be appropriately formed on the top surface of the approach10so that the wire ropes35and52pass therethrough.

The protection member20is not limited to a member having flexibility and may be configured with a member not having flexibility. Further, the protection member20may be configured with a film-shaped, sponge-shaped, or rubber-shaped member, or may be configured by joining a plurality of plate-shaped members in a predetermined direction. When a roller is appropriately provided on the bottom surface of the protection member20or the top surface of the approach10to prevent a direct contact between the top surface of the approach10and the bottom surface of the protection member20, damaging the top surface of the approach10may be prevented.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described in detail above, the present invention can be preferably applied to a bowling game system in which for enjoyment pins arranged and placed on the lane are knocked down by the rolling ball.