BUMPER BOWLING SYSTEM

Abstract: A bowling lane is provided with a pair of bumpers (11) to which are attached sensors (31) or switches (50) that are activated when a bowling ball (15) strikes a bumper (11). The bumpers (11) are attached to brackets (26) that are mounted to the floor. Indicators (70) (72) are mounted on the bumper-bracket assembly for signaling when a given bumper (11) has been hit; the score awarded in a given frame may be made to vary in dependance upon whether a given bumper (11) has been struck.

Description: BUMPER BOWLING SYSTEM Background of the Invention The present invention relates generally to a bowling alley, and more particularly, to a system of bumpers that allows for a greater number of variants of the standard game of bowling to be played. Bowling is an ancient game. Archaeologists have traced its development through various forms by reference to artifacts dating back many thousands of years. In recent times, the game's evolution has achieved a standardized form, in which a ball weighing generally between 10 and 16 pounds is rolled down an alley or lane of standardized size towards a set of ten pins arrayed in a fixed configuration. Straddling each side of the bowling lane is a channel-like gutter. In conventional "regulation" bowling, points are scored by knocking down pins; when a ball rolls into the gutter, it becomes a so-called "gutter ball," and no points are earned. Because of the physical strength necessary to play standard bowling, those with physical impairments or who are otherwise lacking in coordination or strength (e.g., due to handicap or age) may experience the frustration of playing an entire game of ten frames without having knocked down a single pin. This can be especially frustrating to children, who may not have the strength and coordination necessary to play the game. In response to this problem, numerous systems of "bumper" bowling have been developed. These generally involve placing some sort of bumper or other occluding member in the gutters so that each ball bowled inevitably results in at least some pins being knocked down. In some systems, bumpers are permanently affixed to the gutters, thereby preventing anyone from playing a game of regulation bowling on the lane. Other systems allow for the removal of "temporary" bumpers from the gutters, through what is generally a laborious process. Another example of a bumper system is provided by U.S. Patent No. 3,401,933 to Conklin et al. (the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference). In this device, a pivoting concave cylindrical section is provided along a length of gutter. When in the retracted position, the cylindrical section acts as a standard gutter, enabling the lane to accommodate standard bowling. The patent teaches a complex set of linkages and actuators for raising the curved cylindrical section to a height and orientation at which its raised edge will prevent a ball from leaving the lane prior to striking any pins. This edge is provided with a switch for detecting when a ball has made contact with the raised section. The structure shown is complex and expensive to build and maintain, and does not appear to have won widespread acceptance. Furthermore, this device does not appear to be able to flexibly accommodate other variants of the game of bowling. There remains a need for a system of bumpers that is inexpensive to make, simple to install and maintain, and which has greater flexibility in the range of games that may be played than has been the case. Summary of the Invention This need is met by the present invention, which discloses a simple bumper system that requires less space per lane than the standard two gutters and lane, and which is versatile to accommodate both standard bowling, bumper bowling, as well as other novel variants of the game. The bumper system is based on a series of resilient bumpers that are affixed to mounting brackets. In one embodiment a pneumatic tube to which is attached a pressure activated switch is attached to the bumper. In other embodiments, a strip-like contact switch is affixed to a bumper, or a motion sensor is employed. In all embodiments, contact between the bumper and a bowling ball results in the closure of a switch or the generation of a signal that provides information to a central switching or microprocessor unit. The switch or microprocessor may be used to trigger a light or other indicator (e.g., a buzzer, bell, or video display) when such contact has been made. Brief Description of the Drawings Figure la is a front perspective view of a conventional bowling lane; Figure lb provides a view of the bowling lane shown in Figure la in cross- section; Figure 2 is a plan schematic view of a bowling alley constructed according to the principles of the invention; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a bumper system in which pneumatic tubes are employed; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a bumper system similar to that shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 illustrates in cross-section an alternative embodiment of the bumper system; Figure 6 provides a cross-sectional view of adjacent bowling lanes built according to the present invention; Figure 7 shows in cross section a table-top game built according to the principles of the invention; and Figure 8 shows in schematic form the control of the invention. Detailed Description of the Invention Figures la and lb illustrate the parts and dimensions of a conventional bowling lane. A standard lane is generally 42 inches in width, and is bordered on either side by a gutter 9 inches wide, bringing the overall width of the lane and gutter to 60 inches. Where, as is the case in virtually all commercial bowling alleys, a number of lanes are configured to be situated adjacent to one another, still more space (usually 6 - 9 inches) must be allotted for properly spacing the lanes apart from each other. Figure 2 shows the overall configuration of a bowling alley constructed according to the principles of the invention. Adjoining each lane is a set of bracket-mounted bumpers. In this figure, the original gutters have been retro-fitted with bumpers built according to the embodiment shown in Figure 5. Alternately, a bowling alley can be constructed to take advantage of the space-saving features present in other embodiments by using a bumper configuration such as is shown in Figures 3, 4, and 6, which require significantly less space per lane than the standard configuration shown in Figure lb. Whichever embodiment is used, the bumpers running alongside each lane may be subdivided lengthwise into several serially arranged bumpers, each with its own means for detecting contact with a bowling ball. The bumper system may take a variety of forms, but in each case it is made of a number of bumpers (11) having sufficient strength so as to be able to withstand repeated collisions with the heaviest of bowling balls. These bumpers (11) are rigidly attached to bumper brackets (26), which in turn are bolted to the underlying surface. As seen in Figure 3, the bracket may consist of a single extrusion having a U-shape in cross section terminating in a pair of laterally extending portions (28) to which are attached the bumpers (11). The center channel of the bracket is covered with a cover (19). Alternatively, the bracket may take the form of an open rectangular extrusion (Figure 4) having a lower portion (31) for mounting to the floor or lane bed, an upstanding portion (33) for elevating the structure an appropriate height, a transverse portion (35), and a depending portion (37) to which the bumpers (11) are attached. The brackets are configured so that they may abut one another along their surfaces (33'), thereby requiring a reduced amount of space. Two embodiments of the bumper are shown in the left- and right-hand halves of Figure 4. In the left-hand embodiment, an air tube (18) is molded into the rubber bumper. (This tube may alternatively be filled with a liquid.) In the embodiment shown in the right-hand half of the figure, this air tube is positioned externally to the bumper, to which it may be attached with adhesive. The bumper and air tube may be covered with a layer of felt (47) so that the tube is not separately visible. In either embodiment, the bumper and bracket are configured so that the air tube is elevated above the lane a height approximately equal to one-half the diameter of a standard bowling ball (15). The outermost portions of the bumper/air tube are spaced a distance from the lateral edges of the lane so that when the ball is located along the outer edge of a lane, it just begins to make contact with the bumper. Attached externally to each air tube is a pressure sensitive switch (50). When the bowling ball makes contact with the bumper assembly, the air tube presses against and activates the pressure sensitive switch. Figure 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment, in which a pair of solid bumpers (11) is used instead of the air tube arrangement of Figure 4. A further feature of this embodiment is the use of brackets (30) that enable one to retrofit the bumper to an existing bowling lane. The switch is in the form of a motion sensor (31) attached to the underlying bracket, and is triggered when a bowling ball (15) makes contact with bumper. The switch may also take the form of a strip-like contact switch affixed to the bumper. Whether a pneumatically triggered pressure sensitive switch, a motion sensor, or a strip-like contact switch is used, the closing of the switch or the triggering of the sensor provides information to a microprocessor or other simple switching device that can be used to signal that contact has been made with the bumper. For example, in Figure 2, a pair of lights (70) and (72) is provided on each bumper. When the switch imbedded or affixed to a given bumper is triggered by contact with a bowling ball, an electrical circuit is completed that causes a light (72), a horn, or other indicator to be activated, thereby informing the player that contact with the bumper has been made. Figure 8 shows the basic electrical pathway that this structure may employ. Instead of using a visually oriented indicator such as a light bulb, it is within the scope of this invention to employ an audible indicator, such as a bell or buzzer. The particular sound made by such an audible indicator could be made to vary in dependance upon the bumper with which it is associated. Such a system of indicators would enable the game to be enjoyed by those who are visually impaired. The manner in which this information is used is dependant upon the game being played. For example, in one variant, contact with the bumper may simply indicate that one has rolled a "gutter ball," for which no points are earned. In essence, under this mode of use, one sues the system to play a standard game of bowling. In another game, the object would be to hit one or more of the bumpers before any of the pins have been knocked down. No points would be given for knocking down a pin where the bumper has not first been struck. Alternatively, scoring could be the same as for regular bowling, except that it would not matter whether or not a ball has hit any of the bumpers. A further mode of operation would count a ball that strikes a bumper as a gutter ball for one player, but not for another (e.g., a handicapped player). In this instance, the score-keeping machinery employed would keep track of the appropriate score for each player. A further embodiment entails requiring the players to strike a bumper that has been designated by a microprocessor, where the designation may be indicated by the illumination of a first light (70) associated with a given bumper. The second light (72) may be configured to be illuminated if and when the appropriate bumper is struck, thereby awarding the player bonus points. Striking the illuminated bumper could be used to double or otherwise modify any resulting score. In Figure 2, the number of bumper segments occupying a lane is three; however, it is within the scope of this invention to use more or fewer bumpers so as to better graduate the number of possible skill levels of the game. It is within the scope of this invention to apply these principles to a table-top bowling game as well (Figure 7). The size of the table (33) relative to the length of a standard bowling lane may, of course, vary. However, by using a 1/3 scale, one may utilize a common billiard ball as the bowling ball. In this embodiment, bumpers bearing contact switches would be mounted to the sides of the table. Again, contact with a given bumper would signal the system to enable the provision of a number of variants of the game as discussed above.

Claims: Claims What is claimed is: 1. A bumper bowling system for a bowling lane, comprising: a plurality of brackets; a resilient bumper attached to each of said brackets; means for detecting the impact of a bowling ball with the bumper; and means for indicating the impact of a bowling ball with the bumper, wherein the brackets are configured to have a fixed, stationary orientation with respect to a bowling lane. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for detecting the impact of a bowling ball with the bumper is a motion detector. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for detecting the impact of a bowling ball with the bumper comprises a fluid-filled tube and a switch. 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the fluid-filled tube is molded into the bumper. 5. The device of claim 3, wherein the fluid-filled tube is in abutting relationship with the bumper. 6. The device of claim 3, wherein the fluid-filled tube is joined to the bumper with an adhesive. 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the area of the bumper to which the fluid-filled tube is attached is enclosed by a covering. 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the bracket is generally box-like in appearance, and has at least three right angles in cross-section. 9. The device of claim 1, wherein each bumper and bracket define an assembly, and there is attached to each assembly at least one indicating means. 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the indicating means provides a visual indication when activated. 11. The device of claim 9, wherein the indicating means provides an audible indication when activated. 12. The device of claim 9, wherein the indication provided by the indicating means varies from bumper to bumper. 13. The device of claim 1, further comprising a microprocessor that is connected to the detection means and to the indicating means. 14. The device of claim 1, wherein there is at least one bumper along each side of the lane. 15. The device of claim 1, wherein the combined width of each of said bracket and its associated bumper means is less than or equal to 12 inches. 16. A bumper bowling system for a bowling lane, comprising: a plurality of longitudinally extending brackets, said brackets being generally U- shaped in cross section, and further having dependant portions at the upper end of each side of the U that extend outwardly therefrom; a resilient bumper attached to each of said brackets; means for detecting the impact of a bowling ball with the bumper; and means for indicating the impact of a bowling ball with the bumper, wherein the brackets are configured to have a fixed, stationary orientation with respect to a bowling lane. 17. The device of claim 16, wherein the combined width of each of said bracket and its associated two bumpers is less than 24 inches. 18. A table-sized bumper bowling system, comprising: a table having an upper surface for defining a bowling lane; a plurality of brackets located along the side of said table; a resilient bumper attached to each of said brackets; means for detecting the impact of a bowling ball with the bumper; and means for indicating the impact of a bowling ball with the bumper, wherein the brackets are configured to have a fixed, stationary orientation with respect to a bowling lane. 19. The table-sized bumper bowling system of claim 18, where the table is approximately 20 feet in length. 20. A method for bowling, comprising the steps of: affixing to each side of a bowling lane at least one bumper and means for determining whether a bowling ball has made contact with said bumper; determining whether a ball has struck a bumper; and awarding points based on the occurrence of contact of the bowling ball with the bumper. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein a first indicator is associated with each bumper, and wherein the indicator provides an indication that the bowling ball has made contact with the bumper. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein a second indicator is provided, said second indicator being used to signal to the bowler which bumper he should attempt to strike. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein a plurality of bumpers and indicators is provided for each side of the bowling lane, and the number of points scored is dependant upon striking a particular bumper. 24. The method of claim 20, wherein the bowling lane is situated on top of a table. 25. A method of playing a game in which a ball is rolled down a lane having a front end and a rear end, and in which a series of pins are arranged at the rear end, and in which a series of bumpers having means for sensing contact between the bumpers and the ball are provided along the lateral edges of the lane, comprising the steps of: generating a contact signal indicative of contact between the bumper and the ball; determining the number of pins that have been toppled by the ball; and determining a score based on the contact signal and the number of pins that have been toppled. 26. The method of claim 25, in which each bumper has the capability of generating a contact signal. 27. The method of claim 25, wherein no points are scored when the contact signal from any bumper indicates that contact with a ball has been made. 28. The method of claim 25, wherein the score is not altered as a function of the contact signal. 29. The method of claim 25, wherein no points are awarded for knocking down a pin where the ball has failed to make contact with any bumper. 30. The method of claim 25, in which first and second indicators are provided in association with each bumper, and in which one of the indicators is triggered in response to contact between the ball and the bumper. 31. The method of claim 30, further including the steps of triggering an indicator associated with a given bumper so as to provide an indication that said bumper has been selected by the system, and awarding points for pins knocked down by the ball in dependance upon contact between the selected bumper and the ball. 32. The method of claim 31, in which no points are scored when the ball has failed to make contact with the selected bumper. 33. The method of claim 31, in which the bumper is selected at random. 33. The method of claim 31, in which the bumper is selected by a microprocessor. 34. The method of claim 31, in which the number of points awarded is doubled when the ball makes contact with the selected bumper. 35. The method of claim 31, in which no points are scored when the ball makes contact with a bumper that has not been selected.

Inventors: FILE JONATHAN P, FILE, JONATHAN, P.
Applicants: FILE JONATHAN P, FILE, JONATHAN, P.
Application year: 1993
Main classification: A63D1
IPC codes: A63D1, A63D5, A63F3