Abstract:
An automatic bowling pin setting machine includes a sorting section receiving knocked down pins and bowling balls, an elevator conveying pins to a receiving reel, and a setting reel to which pins drop downwardly from the setting reel. Gripper arms accompanying the setting reel pick up any standing pins to ready the alley for a second throw. After a second throw, the alley is swept clean of pins, and the setting reel places a new set of pins in the alley. The setting machine is designed with reduced maintenance in mind and for sureness of operation.

Description:
This is a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 08/716,329 entitled AUTOMATIC BOWLING PIN SETTER OR SKITTLE SETTER MACHINE filed Oct. 20, 1998, now abandoned, which is a 371 of on PCT/DE94/00643, filed Jun. 6, 1994 which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to an automatic bowling pin setter or skittle setter machine for a bowling or skittle facility. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A bowling pin setter or skittle setter machine which takes the pins remaining standing after a throw, lifts them off the alley and resets the pins after the knocked down pins have been removed is known from U.S. Pat. No. 2,887,318. This machine includes a clearing device, a vertical conveyor, a pin divider, as well as a pin holding and setting unit. The mechanics of the prior setting machine are technically complex to use. The failure of only one unit within the prior pin setting machine can cause the entire system of the bowling alley to break down which, because of the complexity of the machinery, can only be repaired by costly and extensive maintenance by experts. Further, these systems are expensive for the facility to install and maintain. A further disadvantage is that it is not possible for the setting machine disclosed in the &#39;318 patent to create varied selective pin settings on the alley. 
     A skittle setting machine disclosed in German Patent DE2322950 is likewise technically complex. For example, the pins travel from a diagonal chute into revolving catch holders in a divided wheel and then swing further downwardly into an alignment rack. The nearly simultaneous rotation of all of the holders is mechanically complex, and unintended rotation of one or some of the catch holders can be unsafe for the mechanic. A further disadvantage is that if the catch receptacles and the rack do not align, the pins remaining after a throw of the ball will not be picked up and set down properly, but only centered in the catch receptacle. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the invention is to provide an automatic bowling or skittle pin setter machine which is economically manufactured and reduces the necessity for spare parts and repair and maintenance costs as much as possible. An object also is to provide such a machine for which after a throw of the ball, pins remaining in displaced but standing positions can be picked up and reset precisely after the fallen pins have been cleared. 
     In addition, an object is to provide an automatic bowling or skittle pin setter machine in which it is possible to select a variety of pin or skittle settings on the alley. 
     A further advantage of the invention is that it uses a simple construction of individual elements which makes possible different functions of the pin or skittle setter machine. Thus, expenses for the introduction of new modes of operation are minimized by, for example, changes in programming of a controller and/or slight changes in mechanical parts. 
     It should also be understood that components in the course of further development of this machine can be made without affecting the principle of the entire machine or the concept of the invention. 
     Further, the present invention improves maintenance and control on a pin setting machine and improves reliability of operation. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an elevational side view of the automatic pin setting machine. 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view showing a portion of the automatic pin setting machine, which portion comprises a ball and pin sorting arrangement and a vertical pin elevator. 
     FIG. 3 is a front elevational view showing the ball and pin separator and the pin elevator. 
     FIG. 4 is a plan view of a portion of the automatic pin setting machine showing the pin and ball sorting arrangement and the pin elevator. 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the ball and pin sorting arrangement showing a ball conveyor. 
     FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic, plan view of the ball conveyor. 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along lines  7 — 7 , FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along lines  8 — 8 , FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 9 is a fragmentary and elevational view of the ball and pin conveyor sorting device. 
     FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the ball and pin conveyor sorting device. 
     FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, plan view of a pin positioning and orientation arrangement. 
     FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view showing operation of the pin orientation and lifting arrangement. 
     FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view showing operation of the pin orientation and lifting arrangement. 
     FIG. 14 is a fragmentary view showing operation of the pin orientation and lifting arrangement. 
     FIG. 15 is a fragmentary view showing operation of the pin orientation and lifting arrangement. 
     FIG. 16 is a fragmentary view showing operation of the pin orientation and lifting arrangement. 
     FIG. 17 is a fragmentary view showing operation of the pin orientation and lifting arrangement. 
     FIG. 18 is a fragmentary, side elevational view showing a pin lifting conveyor. 
     FIG. 19 is a fragmentary, side elevational view showing a pin lifting conveyor. 
     FIG. 20 is a side elevational view portion of the pin and ball receiving area and showing a ball door exit. 
     FIG. 21 is a fragmentary, plan view of the ball door exit area. 
     FIG. 22 is a top plan view of pin holding mechanism. 
     FIG. 23 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pin holding apparatus. 
     FIG. 24 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pin holding apparatus. 
     FIG. 25 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pin holding apparatus showing the device holding a pin in a first position. 
     FIG. 26 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pin holding device showing it holding a pin in a second position. 
     FIG. 27 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pin holding device showing it holding the pin in the first operational position. 
     FIG. 28 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a pair of pin holders in stacked relationship and showing a pin in the upper pin holding device. 
     FIG. 29 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a pair of pin holders in stacked relationship and showing a pin transferred from the upper pin holding device to a lower holding device. 
     FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the pin holding device. 
     FIG. 31 is a fragmentary plan view showing a plurality of pin positioning arms. 
     FIG. 32 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the pin positioning arm. 
     FIG. 33 is an enlarged plan view of the pin positioning arms. 
     FIG. 34 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing details of construction of the pin holding arm arrangement. 
     FIG. 35 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing details of construction of the pin holding arm arrangement. 
     FIG. 36 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing details of construction of the pin holding arm arrangement. 
     FIG. 37 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing details of construction of the pin holding arm arrangement. 
     FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the pin holding arm arrangement and showing same in the first operational position. 
     FIG. 39 is a perspective view of the pin holding arm arrangement and showing same in a second operational position. 
     FIG. 40 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of a cable pull arrangement for actuating the grippers. 
     FIG. 41 is a fragmentary, plan view showing a cable pull arrangement for controlling the grippers. 
     FIG. 42 is a fragmentary, plan view showing the gripper cable push pull device. 
     FIG. 43 is a fragmentary, plan view of the gripper cable push pull device. 
     FIG. 44 is a fragmentary, plan view of a portion of the gripper cable push pull device. 
     FIG. 45 is a fragmentary, plan view of a portion of the gripper arms mounting mechanism. 
     FIG. 46 is a perspective, disassembled view of the gripper arms mounting mechanism. 
     FIG. 47 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of an end of the gripper arms cable opposite from the gripper arms. 
     FIG. 48 is a fragmentary plan view of a cable pull arrangement for the gripper arms. 
     FIG. 49 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the cable pull arrangement shown in FIG.  48 . 
     FIG. 50 is a fragmentary, plan view of the cable pull arrangement and showing the cable pulled inwardly. 
     FIG. 51 is a fragmentary, plan view of the cable pull arrangement and showing the cable relaxed from its pulled position. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     As required detailed embodiments of the invention are described and shown herein. However, the invention may embody various forms and is not to be limited to that of the following description. 
     The reference numeral  1 , FIG. 1, generally designates a pin setter in accordance with the applicant&#39;s invention. In general arrangement, the pin setter  1  includes a pin receiving section  3  with a ball return  4 , an upward elevator section  5 , a lateral transfer conveyor  7  extending from the top of the elevator section  5  and a pin setting mechanism  9 . In operation, the pin setter  1  receives pins  11  and balls  12  from a set-up on a bowling alley  14 , which fall into the pin receiving section  3  after a ball  12  strikes down pins  11  standing in their proper places on the alley  14 . From the pin receiving section  3 , the balls  12  are returned through the ball return  4  to ball return lanes (not shown) in the bowling alley. The pins  11  gather at the elevator section  5 , are oriented, and lifted vertically to the transfer conveyor  7  where they are transported base first to the pin setting mechanism  9 . In the pin setting mechanism  9 , as will be hereinafter explained, the pins  11  are inserted into various stages of pin holding mechanisms which then drop down to the level of the alley  14  to selectively deposit pins on the alley in the appropriate pattern. 
     Referring to the drawings in more detail, the pins  11  on the alley  14  normally have the familiar ten pin bowling arrangement. It will be appreciated after the bowler rolls the ball  12 , some of the pins  11  may be knocked down and into the pin receiving section  3  whereas other pins  11  may be missed and left standing. As will be hereinafter described, the pin setter  1  is capable of lifting those pins  11  which are left standing after a first roll of the ball and sweeping the alley  14  clear after raising the pins  11  and then subsequently depositing a full set of pins  11  in the appropriate arrangement on the alley  14 . 
     Regardless of the number of pins received in the pin receiving section  3 , the operation is the same. The pin receiving section  3 , FIGS. 2-11, includes an inclined vibrating platform  17 . The platform moves the pins  11  downwardly toward the receiving portion of the elevator section  5  as will hereinafter be explained. Within the pin receiving section  5 , front and rear sandbag curtains  19  and  20  hang downwardly from a support bar  21  and knock down any pins  11  that may fly through the air after being struck by a ball on the alley  14 . A bar  23  extends transversely across the vibrating platform  17  and serves to catch any balls  12  that rolled down upon the platform  17 . The platform  17 , FIGS. 2 and 3, is supported on a framework base  25  so that it inclines toward the base of the elevator section  5  at approximately a 7-10° slope. The inclined vibrating platform  17  is generally composed of five sections including a front vibrator plate  27 , a first conveyor  30 , a pipe section  32 , a second conveyor  33  and a third conveyor  34 . 
     The vibrator plate  27  assures that the balls and pins will roll rearwardly and is formed of a plate  36 , FIG. 10, underlain by support bars  37 . FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the pin receiving section  3  and shows the support bars  37  and counter rotating vibrator motors  39 . The vibrator motors  39  are electric and include eccentric weights which synchronize during operation. The vibrator motors  39  cause the plate  36  to vibrate and move the pins  11  rolling rearwardly. From the vibrator plate  27 , the pins and balls move to the first conveyor  30 . The first conveyor  30  moves pins and balls left laterally of the pin receiving section  3  as shown in FIG. 4 so that the ball  12  can be removed and returned to the players&#39; positions at the front of the bowling alley via a ball return channel  41 . The first conveyor  30  is a flexible belt conveyor which is flat and is driven by a single drive motor  43  which drives all the conveyors including the first conveyor  30 , the second conveyor  33  and the third conveyor  34 . The drive motor  43  operates through a common drive shaft  44  to power the first and second conveyers  30  and  33  and the third conveyor  34  is driven off of the second conveyor  33 . FIGS. 6,  7  and  8  show the orientation of the conveyors as pertains to the drive motor  43  and the drive shaft  44 . The conveyors are preferably all driven at a one-to-one ratio and a direction change mechanism is shown at  46 , FIG. 10, with the principal of operation shown in connection with FIG.  8 . The direction change mechanism  46  includes a plurality of pulleys  48  and interconnected belts  49  arranged so as to cause the belt  30  to drive in one direction and the belt  33  to drive in the opposite direction. The pulley or the conveyor  34  is driven via a shaft  51  extending from the first conveyor  30  so that it travels in the same direction as the belt  30  and in an opposite direction to the conveyor  33 . 
     Adjacent the conveyer  30  at its travel end  53  is a door  55 , FIG. 20, which opens to the position shown in FIG.  4 . On the door  55  is a contact switch  56  which senses the impact of the ball  12  and generally opens the door  55  through a solenoid operated latch mechanism  58 . An electronic eye  60  is generally located at the door  55  to sense the position of the ball  12  so as to distinguish the ball from pins  11 . For example, if a pin is brought against the door  55  by the conveyor  30  with the ball behind the pin, because although the electronic eye  60  sees the ball, the contact switch  56  is not touched. In the event of this occurrence, the contact switch  56  is routed through a controller as will be hereinafter described which activates a timer within the controller. Normally, immediately after the switch  60  senses a ball, switch  56  is engaged and activates the latch release mechanism  58 . In the event that too long a period of time occurs between actuation of switches  60  and  56 , a signal is sent from the controller to the conveyor drive motor  43  to reverse its direction of rotation, in which case all the conveyors  30 ,  33  and  34  reverse to clear out the pin that is stuck between the ball and the door  55 . 
     Additionally, as shown in FIG. 5, the ball  12  engages against the cross bar  23  so that it does not roll without movement on the conveyor  30 . The speed of travel of the ball on the conveyor  30  is approximately one half that of the speed of travel of the conveyor  30 . 
     From the conveyor  30 , pins pass over the conveyor and roll downwardly on the pipe section  32  and are transported in the direction shown by the arrows on FIG. 4 to the opposite wall of the pin receiving section  3 . At the wall is an inclined stop plate  61  at an approximately 45° angle. The inclined stop plate  61  prevents the pin from getting stuck as it rolls onto the third conveyor  34 . The third conveyor  34  leads into the elevator section  5 . 
     The elevator section  5  returns pins  11  from the pin receiving section  3  to the pin setting mechanism  9 . Generally, the elevator section  5  includes a vertical framework  63  which carries a chain conveyor  64  driven at an upper end by a motor drive unit  66 . The chain conveyor  64  is in fact composed of first and second conveyors chains  68  and  69  and extend about upper and lower pulleys  71  and  72 . The conveyor chains  68  and  69  carry pin supporting arms  75  which are four in number to compose a single pin support cradle  77 . Each of the pin support arms  75  is shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 which have an extension and curvature generally as shown. Generally they are upwardly curved and are mounted in pairs of two about each of the conveyor chains  68  and  69 . Each pair will form a first pair  80 , FIG. 19, which is spaced lower on the chain  68  than a second pair  81  mounted on the chain  69 . Because of the shape of the bowling pin  11 , each of the support arms  75  has a somewhat different shape and includes first arm  83 , second arm  84 , third arm  85  and a fourth arm  86 . The pin support arms  75  are hingedly mounted to the chains  68  and  69  as by pivot pins  88 , an arm extension  90  extending generally perpendicularly to each arm  75  and terminates in guide pins  91 . The pin support arms  75  rotate on the pivot pins  88  from a downwardly extending non-cradling position to an outwardly extending cradling position as shown in FIG.  18 . To cause this effect, the guide pins  91  mounted on the arm extensions  90  of each of the arms  75  travel within a guide channel  93  formed in or mounted in the vertical framework  63 . The guide channel  93  has an upward opening  94  and a sinuous portion  96  which is designed for minimal floor space between the bottom end of the conveyor and the floor surface. On its upward return, the guide chains  68  and  69  travel in or against the guide channel  93  which at this point forms a relatively narrow channel in order to hold the pin support cradles  77  fully outwardly extended and in position to retrieve a pin  11 . It is generally necessary that the pin support cradle  77  have the arms fully extended outwardly as shown in FIG. 18 as it picks up the pins otherwise the bowling pin may be pushed outwardly and not positioned to be raised vertically. The pin support cradles  77  receive the pins  11  from the third conveyor  34 . It will be appreciated that a plurality of pin support cradles  77  are positioned on the conveyor chain  68  and  69  at intervals so as to be able to lift a plurality of pins  11  simultaneously. 
     As shown in FIGS. 12-17, the pins  11  are delivered to the rising pin support cradle  77  via the third conveyor  34 . The pins must be raised base first from the end of the third conveyor  34 , as shown in FIG. 17, to be able to be properly position for further handling. If a pin approaches head end first, as shown in FIG. 12, as the higher position arms of the pin support cradle  77  engage the neck portion of the pin, as shown in FIG. 12, the pin is flipped over, as shown in FIG.  13 . The pin continues to rotate, FIGS. 14 and 15, to the position shown in FIG. 16 whereupon the conveyor  34  pushes the pin  11  to the position shown in FIG. 17 whereby the pin is properly positioned in the pin support cradle  77  for raising. The head of the pin  11 , as shown in FIG. 12, hits against a vertical wall  98  which stops the travel of the pin and aids in causing the pin  11  to flip over to the position shown in FIG.  17 . Photoelectric cells  100  and  101  located in a back wall  103  of the vertical framework  63 , sense blockages above the third conveyor  34 . The photoelectric cells  100  and  101  are timed through a central controller. The lower controller  101  provides a signal to a timer which is reset by the upper photoelectric cell  100  as the pin  11  is carried upwardly. If the timer is not reset, it indicates a blockage in the lower portion and a signal is sent to the conveyor motor to reverse direction for a predetermined period of time in order to clear any blockage on the third conveyor  34 . 
     At the top of the elevator section  5 , the pins  11  are transferred to the transfer conveyor  7 , FIG.  1 . The transfer conveyor  7  includes a support frame  105  and is mounted at its entry end  107  sidewardly of the elevator section  5 . Specifically, a side wall  98  of the elevator section  5  terminates so that the pin  11  slides downwardly and onto the conveyor, turning sidewardly as it occurs. 
     FIG. 22 is a plan view of the overall arrangement shown in FIG.  1 . The transfer conveyor  7  is shown in FIG.  22  and in FIG. 23, which is a detail of a portion of the elevator section  5  and the transfer conveyor  7 . As the pins  11  reach the top of the elevator section  5 , the pins  11  have been sliding against a vertical back wall  103  and at the top reach the termination of the back wall  103 , whereupon the pins  11  slide down a ramp  110  to the entry  111  of the transfer conveyor  7 . The entry  111  includes an inside guide bar  113  with a curved opening section  114 . A rear guide bar  116  includes a catch portion  117  angled outwardly as shown in FIG. 23 to receive and turn the pin  11  as it slides from the ramp  110 . A relatively narrow belt conveyor  119  travels between the front and rear guide bars  113  and  116  and terminates at an outlet end  120 . The belt drive motor  122  is positioned at the outlet end  120 . The transfer conveyor  7  is supported by a pivot  124  at its entry end  111  and slides on an elongate slide bar  125  at its outlet end  120 . Support framework extends between the outlet end  120  and the underlying slide bar  125 . Referring to FIG. 1, means for rotating the transfer conveyor  7  in an arcuate path is disclosed. In the illustrated example, an electric motor  128  is mounted below the transfer conveyor  7 , an eccentric mechanism  129  extends between the motor  128  and the bottom of the transfer conveyor  7  and causes the transfer conveyor  7  to swing from side to side as called for by the controller. 
     At the outlet end  120  of the transfer conveyor  7 , the pins  11  are transferred to the pin setting mechanism  9 . The pin setting mechanism  9 , FIG. 1, is a multi-layered structure and generally consists of an upper reel  131  and a lower setting plate  133  which moves up and down, both as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 1. A lowermost gripper plate  134  is attached to the setting plate  133  and moves upwardly and downwardly therewith and also relative to the setting plate  133 . The upper reel  131  and the setting plate  133  include a plurality of ball receptacles  135  of which FIGS. 22-30 illustrate. its top, grips same and releases it downwardly through its bottom as will be further described. Referring back to FIG. 22 which shows the upper reel  131  which receives its pins from the transfer conveyor  7 . The upper reel  131  generally consists of a circular plate  137 . The plate  137  is supported about its perimeter by a framework  138  with support rollers (not shown) extending between the bottom and outer edge of the circular plate  137  and the framework  138 . The reel  131  is caused to rotate by a motor  140  which drives a friction wheel  141 . The motor  140  and friction wheel  141  cause the upper reel  131  to rotate in one direction, such as a clockwise direction when viewed in plan view, FIG.  22 . The upper reel  131  further includes series of timing slots  143 . In the illustrated example, there are three series of timing slots  143 . The slots  143  are of different widths and are open through the circulate plate  137  to enable a photo cell to derive a code from the size of the slot  143  which indicates the position of the upper reel  131 . The upper reel  131  includes an array of holes  145  through the circular plate  137 . As shown in FIG. 22, the holes  145  are arranged in a triangular and familiar ten pin bowling pattern. Also shown in FIG. 22, are attachment holes  146  adjacent each of the pin holes  145  to enable connection of the pin receptacle  135  over the hole  145 . 
     Turning to FIG. 26, each pin receptacle  135  generally consists of a plurality of vertically arrayed rods  148 , such as six in number which are maintained in relation to each other by a lower ring  149  and an upper ring  151  located slightly downwardly from the top margins of the rods  148 , creating a tubular or cylindrical structure. The upper and lower rings  151  and  149  are in fixed position relative to the rods  148 . An intermediate attachment ring  153  is positioned between the lower and upper rings  149  and  151  and includes stud pins  154  for attachment into the attachment holes  146  of the plate  137 . A fixing pin  155  extends into a similar attachment hole  156  located there below. A catch arm mechanism  157  is positioned upwardly of the intermediate attachment ring  153  and extends about the upper ring  151 . In the illustrated example, the catch arm mechanism  157  includes an upper catch arm  159  and a lower trip arm  161 , which are swingably mounted respectively by pivot pins  64  at respective outer ends  164  and  165 . Dog legs  166  extend angularly outwardly from the pivot pins  164 . Connecting rods  167  extend between the upper and lower dog legs  166  and are connected by pivot pins  169 , as shown in FIG.  26 . As will be seen in the drawings some of the pivot pins  169  are elongate so as to permit connection of a biasing means, such as a coil spring  171  which extends between the pivot pin  169  and an extension of the pivot pin  164 . The tension of the coil spring  171  draws the upper catch arm to a normally straight up or open position and the lower trip arm  161  to a normally extended or substantially perpendicular position, FIG.  26 . Each of the upper catch arms  159  and lower trip arms  161  have V-shaped ends  173  with chamfered edges for smooth transition. Situated immediately below each of the catch arm mechanism  157 , which are preferably diametrically opposed about the pin receptacle  135 , are stops  175 . The stops  175  are preferably elastomeric coated so as to absorb any shocks there against. 
     The intermediate attachment ring  153  is slidable upward and downwardly on the pin receptacle  135 . A vertical support bar  177  is affixed to the upper ring  151  and has attached thereto the pivot pins  164  and  169  for carrying the catch arm mechanism  157 . However, the pin receptacle  135  with the upper and lower rings  149  and  151  can move vertically with respect to the intermediate attachment ring  153 . The vertical support bar  177  is not connected at its lower end to the intermediate attachment ring  153  but has an internal guide bore  179  into which is received a guide pin  180  extending upwardly from the intermediate attachment ring  153 . The guide pin  180  slides within the guide bore  179  of the vertical support rod  177  to maintain vertical alignment between the two. The intermediate attachment ring  153  is limited in its downward movement toward the lower ring  149  by stop rods  182 . 
     In operation, FIG. 25, a pin  11  is distributed via the transfer conveyor  7  into a selected pin receptacle  135  corresponding to one of the array of bores  145  as shown in FIG.  22 . The pin  11  enters foot first and falls into the open top of the pin receptacle  135 . As the pin falls, the base of the pin contacts and pushes downwardly on the lower trip arm  161 , causing the arm  161  to swing downwardly, overcoming the initial resistance of the spring  171  and causing the toggle connecting rods  167  to cause the upper catch arm  159  to spring and rotate downwardly, catching the neck of the pin  11  as it falls. The force of the arrestment of the bowling pin  11  is absorbed in large extent by the elastomeric coated stops  175 , as the lower trip arms  161  swing against the stops  175 . Consequently, the bowling pins  11 , as delivered by the transfer conveyor  7 , are retained and maintained in a ready position in the reel  131  and in the proper array or pattern for use. FIGS. 27 and 28 show a sequence of operation in which a bowling pin  11  is dropped into an unoccupied or open pin receptacle  135 , is caught by the lower trip arms  161  and maintained in position by the upper catch arms  159 , FIG.  28 . Each pin receptacle  135 , whether mounted in the upper reel  131  or on the setting plate  133 , includes both a catch and a release mechanism. The pin receptacles  135  release the pins by slight upward movement of the lower ring  149  coming into contact with an underlying object. Thereupon, the upper and lower rings  151  and  159  and the rods  148  which form the tubular receptacle move upwardly in relation to the intermediate attachment a ring  153 . As the lower ring  149  pushes upwardly with respect to the intermediate attachment ring  153 , the lower trip arms  161  disengage from the sides of the stops  175 , the V-shaped  43  ends  173  of the upper catch arms  159  are rotated downwardly, increasing the distance between them and allowing the bowling pin  11  to fall free. After the head of the bowling pin  11  has cleared the upper catch arms  159 , the springs pull the catch arm mechanism  157  back to the ready position shown in FIG.  27 . FIG. 29 indicates an intermediate position as would occur during the moment of releasing the pin, wherein the pin is moving downwardly. FIG. 30 indicates the position of the pin  11  and the relationship of the parts of the pin receptacle  135  after the pin  11  has been released but before the pin receptacle  135  has been raised clear of the pin  11 . 
     The setting plate  133  is positioned under the upper reel  131  and is generally in the same configuration. FIG. 33 is a plan view of the setting plate  133 , which is situated under and in alignment with the upper reel  131 . The setting plate  133  likewise includes an array of bores  184 . The array of bores  184  is the same as the array of bores  145 . The setting plate  133  may be of substantially any outer configuration but as shown here, is generally of a triangular configuration to match the triangular array of the bores  184 . The setting plate  133  is bounded by a perimeter frame  186  and includes a plurality of vertical stanchions  187  extending upwardly from the perimeter frame  186 . FIG. 34 illustrates the perimeter frame  186  and the stanchions  187 . The stanchions  187  terminate in rollers  189  which ride in the supporting framework  4  and the pin setting mechanism  9 . The rollers  189  ride against the side of the pin setting mechanism framework so that the setting plate  133  moves up and down in relation to the revolving upper reel  181 . A motor  191  drives a cable winch  192 , FIG. 22, to pull upon a cable  194  run about pulleys (not shown). A shaft  196  extends from the cable winch  192  to provide equal rotation of the pulleys. The setting plate  133  also includes a plurality of pin receptacles  135 , one for each hole. These pin receptacles are identical to the pin receptacles mounted in the upper reel  131 . The machine controller guides the proper vertical orientation of the upper reel  131  and the setting plate  133  so that the pin receptacles  135  of each are in vertical alignment. FIGS. 31 and 32 are sequential views showing that a pin receptacle  135  mounted in the upper reel  131  is positioned in vertical alignment with a pin receptacle  135  mounted in the setting plate  133 . In the sequence of operation shown in FIG. 31, the setting plate  133  has been moved upwardly in relation to the stationary upper reel  131 . The pin receptacle  135  of the setting plate  133  has contacted and is in the process of releasing the pin  11  from the upper pin receptacle  135 . After being released, the pin will fall downwardly into the lower pin receptacle to trip the lower trip arms  161  and be caught and held by the upper catch arms  159  of the catch arm mechanism  157 . FIG. 32 shows the upper pin receptacle  135  empty and the lower pin receptacle  135  retaining the pin  11  with the setting plate  133  again moved downwardly and out of contact with the pin receptacle  135  of the upper reel  131 . The setting plate  133  may continue downwardly so that the bottom of the pin receptacle  135  contacts the surface of the bowling alley where the pins are to be set and deposits the pin at that location. Accordingly, the upper reel  135  only revolves and is maintained in elevation. The setting plate  133  moves up and down to first take the pins in the pin receptacles  135  carried by the setting plate and then deposit those pins on the surface of the alley  14 . 
     In bowling games, the pins are not all removed after a roll of the bowling ball and some are left standing. In the typical game, after a roll of the ball, the standing pins are lifted and the alley swept clear. To that end, the present invention uses a sweeper bar  199  which extends across the face of the alley. The sweeper bar  199  is driven by a chain  202  which is trained about pulleys  204  and driven by a motor  205  connecting like pulleys through a common shaft  206 . The sweeper bar  199  also provides a gate function in that the sweeper bar is a relatively solid, planar structure which may both sweep the alley of upset pins  11  but also, upon return to the forward position, FIG. 1, protect the resetting machinery against throws from bowling balls while the machinery is in its setting operations. 
     The gripper plate  134  automatically comes down every time the setting plate  133  comes down. To this effect, the gripper plate  134 , FIG. 34, is a generally triangular shape to match the shape of the setting plate  133  and is bounded by a framework  208 . Stanchions  209  extend upwardly from comers of the gripper plate  134  and terminate in heads  211  that are mounted in the setting plate  133  so that the gripper plate  134  is suspended below the setting plate  133 . 
     The gripper plate  134  has a like number of holes  213  as the setting plate  134  and the upper reel  131 . Adjacent each of the holes  213  is a gripper mechanism  215  used for centering and then lifting each pin remaining standing after a throw of a ball on the alley. An enlarged view of the gripper mechanism  215  is shown in connection with FIG. 37 wherein is disclosed a lifting mechanism which retrieves the pin  11  from the position left standing on the alley  14 . The gripper mechanism  215  is self-centering so that while the mechanism centers, the pin  11  does not and is lifted and set down in the same position from which it was found. Each gripper mechanism  215  includes, referring to FIGS. 38-45, a pair of gripper arms  217  and  218  each of which are differently shaped than the other. The arms  217  and  218  have downturned staggered tips  220  and  221  which extend sufficiently far over the hole  213  to ride on the opposite side of the hole for support. The gripper mechanism  215  includes a base plate  223  secured to the gripper plate  134  by studs  224  and a latch  225 . Atop the base plate  223  is a first slide plate  227 . A cable attachment  229  is mounted adjacent the base plate  223  and attaches a pincher cable  230  thereto. The cable  230  extends from the cable attachment  229  to a cable block  232  with a spring  233  therebetween to push the cable block  232  to an outward position. The cable block  232  is attached to the slide plate  227 . The slide plate  227  only slides forwardly and rearwardly of the base plate  223  by means of fasteners or studs  235  mounted in channels  236 . A swing plate  237  is mounted atop the slide plate  227 . The slide plate  227  includes at its arm end an arcuate slot  239  (see FIG. 43) and a center slot  240 . Accordingly, the slide plate  227  moves longitudinally atop the base plate  223 . The swing plate  237  is connected to the base plate via the slide plate  227 . A center pin  242  extends downwardly through the center slot  240  and into the base plate  223 . A center pin  243  extends downwardly from the swing plate  237  and into the arcuate slot  239  of the slide plate  227  and permits turning of the swing plate  237  on the slide plate  227  within the arc defined by the arcuate slot  239 . The swing plate  237  drives movement of the arms  217  and  218 . The arms include pincher arm bases  250 . The pincher arm basis  250  are mirror image and interconnected by the center pin  242 . Drive pins  245  extend downwardly from intermediate portions of the pincher arm bases and extend into generally L-shaped slots  246  in the swing plate  237 . As shown in FIG. 44, the L-shaped slots  246  are substantially mirror image of each other and include a transverse section  247  which causes the pincher arms  217  and  218  to swing toward and away from each other. The transverse sections  247  curve into a lateral section  247  via a transitional curve portion  252 . In operation, the gripper mechanism  215 , as shown on the disassembled view of FIG. 46, in review, the slide plate  227  is urged fore and aft by the cable fore and aft movement of the slide plate is caused through the cable. The slide plate moves longitudinally upon the base plate. As the slide plate moves fore and aft, it carries with it the swing plate  237  via a pin  245  received in the arcuate slot  239 . The swing plate  237  carries with it the arm bases  250  via the pins  245  which extend from the L-shaped slots  246 . The arms open and close via the pin  243  being forwardly relative to the swing plate  237  so that the pin  245  is received within the transverse section  247  of the L-shaped slots  246 . When the cable is pulled or returned by the cable spring  233 , the slide plate  227  is moved aft relative to the base plate  223  and carries with it the swing plate  237 , moving the pins  245  aft within the L-shaped slots  246  to the lateral section  249 . The receipt of the pins  245  within the lateral sections  247  locks the arms together about any bowling pin  11  that is received therebetween. 
     The arms  217  and  218  may be open or closed and are free to rotate together via the pin  243  traveling from one end to the other within the arcuate slot  239 . In this manner, the arms  217  and  218  become self-centering with respect to the base plate  223  so as to engage about a bowling pin  11  which is left standing off center of the proper alley position. This arrangement permits the gripper mechanism  215  to engage and pick up a bowling pin  11  which is left standing in any area covered by the hole  213 , FIG.  39 . If the pin  11  is centered within the hole, it will not be necessary for the gripper mechanism  215  to self-center. If the bowling pin  11  is left standing off-center relative to the hole  213 , self-centering by the gripper mechanism  215  is necessary, operationally, one of the arms  217  or  218  will first touch the appropriate side of the bowling pin  11  and stop, permitting the other arm to continue to swing and engage the bowling pin from the opposite side of the neck. At the point where swinging travel of one of the arms  217  or  218  ceases because of hitting an obstruction, such as the bowling pin  11 , the swing plate starts its rotation relative to the slide plate because of the pin  243  was received within the arcuate slot  239 . After both arms  217  and  218  engage the bowling pin, the slide plate  227  begins to move rearwardly to cause the pins  245  to lock into the transitional curve section  252  of the L-shaped slots  246 . This occurs if the arms  217  and  218  are being held apart in a generally parallel relationship because they have trapped the neck of a bowling pin  11  therebetween. This forces the pins  245  into the transitional curve section  252  and does not permit the pins to travel rearwardly further and into the lateral section  249 . If the arms  217  and  218  are allowed to come further together, that is if there is no pin  11  between the arms, then the pins  245  will travel rearwardly all the way into the lateral section  249 . This distinction permits a further retraction of the cable relative to the gripper mechanism  215  and permits the cable  230  to signal to the controller that either a pin has been picked up or no pin has been picked up. 
     A grip arm drive  255  is mounted to the side of the gripper plate  134 , such as on the framework  208 , FIG.  35 . The cables  230  extend from the grip arm drive  255  to each of the gripper mechanisms  215 . The grip arm device  255  is shown in more detail in FIGS. 47 and 48 wherein is disclosed a motor  257  which rotates an eccentric  258  to cause fore and aft movement of an arm  260 . The arm  260  pulls upon a central shaft  262  about which is mounted a distribution plate  263  which travels with the fore and aft movement of the shaft  262 . The cables  230  have cable ends  265  as secured to the distribution plate  263  so that as the distribution plate  263  moves, it pulls upon the cables  230 . The cables  230  include an end rod  267  which travels through a fixed plate  269  which is in turn mounted to the support framework  208 . The forward end of the end rod  267  includes a cable connector  271  and intermediate thereon a magnet  272  backed by a spring  273 . As the fixed plates  269  and  275  guide the shaft  262  therethrough. A magnetic sensor mounting block  277  is fixed to the inside of the fixed plate  269  and carries magnetic sensors  278  which sense the position of the magnet  272  on the shaft  262  as it comes into engagement. Preferably, the magnetic sensor  278  is of the magnetic strip within a glass vial type and which is closed by the proximity of the magnet  272 . The grip arm drive  255  through the sensors components  272 ,  277  and  278  senses the presence of a bowling pin  11  in one or more of the gripper mechanisms. If there is no pin in a particular gripper mechanism, the cable is pulled out further via the spring, causing the magnet  272  within the grip arm drive to extend adjacent to and complete the circuit at the magnetic sensor mounting block  277 . If there is a pin in the gripper mechanism  215 , the magnet  272  will not extend to the magnetic sensor mounting block  277  thereby not sending a signal. 
     It will be appreciated that the cables  230  extend from each of the gripper mechanisms  215  and are rounded about the gripper plate  134 . Referring to FIG. 49, an enlarged side view of the motor  257  of the grip arm drive  255  is shown. A position sensor  280  senses the position of the eccentric  258  for control of the motor  257 . An arm  282  extends outwardly from the distribution plate  263  and is carried therewith. The arm  282  is variably positionable under a first sensor  281  or a second sensor  283 . 
     In overview, the entire pin setter  1  is mounted in the pit section of a bowling alley. Pins  11  are set by the pin setter  1  in the proper position on the alley  14 . After a ball  12  is rolled, pins may or may not be left standing. The ball and any struck pins roll or are hit down into the pin receiving section  3  whereupon the ball  12  is returned via a ball separating and returning mechanism and the pins  11  are processed through the pin receiving section  3  and carried upwardly on the elevator  5 . Simultaneously, the pin setting mechanism  9  operates to lower the setting plate  133  and gripper plate  134  toward the alley  14 . The gripper plate  134  comes into contact with any standing pins  11  and grips them and then the setting plate  133  and gripper plate  134  again move upwardly, carrying any pins  11  gripped in the gripper plate  134 . The sweep arm  199  sweeps down the length of the alley to sweep any pins lying on the alley. The sweep arm  199  returns to the forward position, FIG. 1, and the setting plate and gripper plate  134  again return downwardly to set any pins in the gripper plate  134  back in the position they were taken from. Thereafter, the bowler makes the second roll of the ball, knocks down any pins he/she is able to and the sweep arm  199  sweeps all pins standing or knocked down from the alley. Any balls and pins received in the pin receiving section  3  are processed as previously described. Meanwhile, the pin setting mechanism  9  again descends and the gripper plate  134  extends all of the way to the surface of the alley  14 . The gripper plate  134  first contacts the surface of the alley  14  and then moves upwardly as the setting plate  133  continues to move downwardly. Upon contact of the bottom of the pin receptacles  135  mounted in the setting plate  133  a new set of pins  11  is deposited on the surface of the alley  14  and the setting plate  133  and gripper plate  134  again move upwardly. As the setting plate  133  reaches its full upward position, the setting plate  133  again moves upwardly but this time, as controlled by the controller to a reload position so that the vertically aligned pin receptacles  135  touch each other and a pin  11  is dropped from the top receptacle into the lower receptacle. 
     Simultaneously, the elevator  5  continues to bring pins to the pin setting mechanism  9  via the transfer conveyor  7  and loads the pins in the upper reel  133 . 
     A controller is used with the machine  1  and may be either a micro controller or a programmable logic controller which receives input signals from the various sensors mounted about the machine. The logic generated by the controller performs all the functions described above. 
     Although the above invention has been illustrated and described, it is not limited to the specific relationship of parts and functions except as set forth in the following claims. 
     It is to be understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, the invention is not limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts described thereto, except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims.