Patent Publication Number: US-7708647-B2

Title: LED light and sound system for bowling pin deck

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The invention herein resides in the art of recreational devices and systems. More particularly, the invention relates to the game of bowling and physical structures incident thereto. Specifically, the invention relates to a light and sound system for the bowling pin deck. 
   BACKGROUND ART 
   The sport of bowling has been long lived and enjoyed by countless millions of people. Many bowling establishments provide leagues for competitive bowling, where the bowlers play the sport according to sanctioned rules. But, there are those less serious about the sport, bowling simply for relaxation, fellowship, or at parties at the bowling establishment to celebrate birthdays, retirements, and the like. The recreational and party bowler typically is less interested in the stringent rules of sanctioned bowling, and more interested in the pleasure and entertainment aspects of the game. To add to the enjoyment of bowling for the pleasure bowler, bowling establishments have progressively turned to enhancing their bowling environment with music and lighting systems. The application of fluorescent materials to pins, balls, lanes, walls and the like, to be illuminated by fluorescent or black light are commonly known. Moreover, sound systems providing either background music or overriding music within the establishment are also routine. However, these known systems typically focus on the overall environment of the bowling establishment, rather than on the pin deck itself. Since the focus of the game of bowling is on the pins set upon the pin deck, lights, colors, sounds and music that are disassociated with the deck are often more distracting than facilitating, and serve to detract from the enjoyment of the game, rather than adding to it. 
   There remains a need in the art for a sound and music system directed to and associated with the pin deck itself. Moreover, since most bowling establishments now employ automatic scorers that require infrared lighting and sensing, such systems must be of such a nature as to complement the automatic scoring system, rather than frustrating its function. Moreover, the pin deck lighting and sound system must be of such a nature as to facilitate standard bowling, with a fluorescent illumination of the pin deck, when the environment of light and sound activity is not desired. 
   DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
   In light of the foregoing, it is a first aspect of the invention to provide a light and sound system for a bowling pin deck that allows for the provision of a light show upon the pins of the pin deck themselves. 
   Another aspect of the invention is the provision of a light and sound system for a bowling pin deck in which light activity upon the pin deck may be coordinated with a sound system as to volume, frequency, and the like. 
   Still a further aspect of the invention is the provision of a light and sound system for a bowling pin deck that is conducive to implementation with infrared lighting to accommodate automatic scoring systems, without interference. 
   Still a further aspect of the invention is the provision of a light and sound system for a bowling pin deck that accommodates standard fluorescent lighting for the pin deck when light and sound activity is not desired. 
   Yet another aspect of the invention is the provision of a light and sound system for a bowling pin deck that is simple in design and construction, and readily conducive to implementation with presently existing bowling alleys, without structural change or modification. 
   The foregoing and other aspects of the invention which will become apparent as the detailed description proceeds are achieved by an enhancement system for a bowling pin deck, comprising: a light assembly positioned above and forwardly of a bowling pin deck, said light assembly having an array of light emitting diodes positioned to cast light therefrom upon the pin deck; and a controller interconnected with said light assembly, said controller regulating the illumination of said array of light emitting diodes. 
   Additional aspects of the invention that will become apparent herein are attained by a pin deck lighting system for a bowling facility, comprising: a light fixture positioned above and forward of a pin deck, said light fixture having a fluorescent lamp extending thereacross and a light plate beneath said fluorescent lamp and extending therewith, said light plate having a matrix of light emitting diodes therein; and a controller connected to said light fixture, said controller regulating illumination of said fluorescent lamp and said light emitting diodes. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     For a complete understanding of the aspects, structure and techniques of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a bowling lane showing the structure of the invention in association therewith; 
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of an adjacent bowling alley showing certain features of the invention; 
       FIG. 3  is schematic illustration of the light assembly of the invention, shown mounted above the bowling lane and in association with the pins of the pin deck; and 
       FIG. 4 . Is a detailed illustration of the LED placement on the light plate of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to  FIG. 1 , it can be seen that a bowling lane of a bowling facility or center is designated generally by the numeral  10 . As is well known, each bowling lane  10  includes an alley  12 , constructed of wood or the like, extending from an approach area (not shown) to a pin deck area  14 . The pin deck area  14  of the alley  12  is adapted to receive a set of ten pins  16  in triangular arrangement offset and behind a masking facia  18 . A pin setter assembly  20  is positioned at the end of the alley  12  and behind the pin deck  14 , as shown. The pin setter assembly is adapted to retrieve fallen pins, and to reset pins left standing for an attempted “spare,” and to reset all pins at the end of the frame. Pin setter assemblies  20  are well known in the art. 
   In accordance with the invention, a light assembly  22  replaces the conventional pin deck light assembly that is mounted at the forward end of the pin setter  20  near the at rest position of the sweep bar. For purposes of simplicity here, the light assembly  22  is shown mounted to the back of the masking facia  18 , above and in front of the pin deck  14 , to illuminate the pin deck  14  under control of the controller  24 . A music system  26  is also interconnected with the controller  24  to provide music and sounds in association with the pin deck, as desired. According to the invention, the controller  24  may control the operation of the light assembly  22  and the music system  26  in conjunction with each other, or separate and apart from each other. In other words, the combination of lights, their frequency of change, and their color combinations may be controlled directly by a program of the controller  24 , or alternatively be controlled by the frequency of the sound or music emitted by the music system  26 , through the controller  24 . The use of sound frequency to vary light combinations and the switching of light colors is, of course, well known in the art. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a camera  28  is positioned between alleys  12 , with lenses  28   a ,  28   b  focusing upon associated pin decks  14 . The camera  28  is employed with the automatic scorer, to detect pins left standing at the end of each bowling frame or mid-frame to ensure the score is properly kept. It will be appreciated that, with the camera  28  positioned between each of the adjacent alleys, the pin decks  14  are viewed from opposite angles such that accurate counts are attained and there are no hidden and undetected pins. Placing cameras  28  upon the lane divider areas  32  between adjacent alleys  12 , and with associated lens  28   a  and  28   b  focused on respective pin decks  14 , such that two lenses are directed toward each pin deck  14 , it is ensured that an accurate count of remaining pins, and their placement, is sensed and passed to the automatic scorer  30 . As those skilled in the art know, the automatic scorer  30  maintains the score of individual bowlers on individual alleys. 
   As shown, gutters  34 , defining the outermost edges of the alleys  12 , are positioned immediately between the alleys  12  and associated lane dividers  32 . 
   With reference now to  FIG. 3 , it can be seen that the light system  22  mounted to the forward end of the pin setter assembly  20 , or illustratively to the back of the masking facia  18 , comprises an elongated housing  36  having a frontal portion angled slightly downwardly toward the pin deck  14 . The elongated housing  36  is mounted centrally over the alley  12  and includes an elongated downwardly angled receptacle  38  comprising a top plate  40 , back plate  42 , and bottom plate  44 , all of which are angled slightly downwardly toward the pin deck  14 . The receptacle  38  is adapted to receive a fluorescent bulb  46 , to provide standard lighting to the pin deck  14 . The plates  40 ,  42 ,  44  are preferably provided with a highly reflective light surface, such as baked white enamel or the like. 
   Positioned beneath the receptacle  38  and again angled downwardly toward the pin deck  14  is a light plate  48 . As will be presented in detail below, the light plate  48  is provided with an array of symmetrically positioned light emitting diodes (LEDs) in the visible and infrared (IR) ranges. Specifically, the LEDs include the combination of colors of red, blue and green, and also include infrared LEDs. The LEDs have a conical light dispersions in which, combined with their spacing laterally along the light plate  48  and their positioning above the pin deck  14  ensures full illumination of the deck  14 . It will be apparent that the colored LEDs are provided for a light show or controlled and sequenced illumination of the pin deck  14  with various colors, combinations, durations and frequencies. As presented above, the controlled illumination of the colored LEDs and their various combinations, duty cycles and the like may be tied directly to the music system  26  through the controller  24 , such that the sound and lighting are coordinated as to frequency, pitch, amplitude or the like. 
   The infrared LEDs are provided to work in association with the cameras  28  and the automatic scorer  30 , for providing infrared illumination of the pin deck  14  at all times during use of the automatic scorer  30 . Finally, as presented above, the fluorescent light  46  is provided for standard illumination of the pin deck  14  when controlled colored lighting of the pin deck  14  is not desired. 
   With reference now to  FIG. 4 , an appreciation can be obtained of the specific desired structure of the light plate  48 . Various sizes and dimensions will be presented below with respect to what testing and experimentation has shown to be the best mode and preferred embodiment of the light plate  48 . For all dimensions and specifications presented below, it is contemplated that a variance of 20% will work satisfactorily and, accordingly, the preferred embodiment of the invention is considered to extend to such a 20% deviation from the specifications presented herein. 
   With reference to  FIG. 4 , it can be seen that the light plate  48 , again of a light reflective material such a white baked enamel or the like, is of symmetric configuration on opposite sides of a centerline  50 . In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the light plate  48  has a height of 45 mm, and a length of 914 mm. 
   Moving in opposite sides of the centerline  50 , a first LED  52  is provided as a blue LED having a 60° dispersion cone, offset from the centerline  50  by 19 mm. Next is a green LED  54 , having a 60° dispersion cone, offset from centerline  50  by 34 mm. Finally, a red LED  56 , having a 60° dispersion zone, is spaced from the centerline by 49 mm. Accordingly, offset on opposite sides of the centerline  50  are uniformly spaced LEDs of the basic colors of red, green and blue. Next, spaced from the centerline  50  by 111 mm is a blue LED  58  having a 30° dispersions angle, and an IR LED  60  having a 30° dispersion angle. Thence, continuing along the light plate  48 , a red LED  62  having a dispersion angle of 30° is offset from the centerline by 209 mm. A blue LED  64  having a dispersion angle of 30° is offset from the centerline by 224 mm, and a green LED  66  having a dispersion cone angle of 30° if offset from the centerline by 239 mm. 
   Next, to facilitate the automatic scorer, additional IR LEDs  68 ,  70 ,  72 , all having dispersions angles of 30°, are provided upon the light plate  48 . The LED  68  is spaced from the centerline by 286 mm, the LED  70  by 302 mm, and the LED  72  by 381 mm. 
   At opposite ends of the light plate  48 , an array of 9 colored LEDs are provided. First, a row of green LEDs  74 , having a dispersion cone angle of 30°, is provided 400 mm from the centerline  50 . Next, a pair of blue LEDs  76 , each having a dispersion angle of 30°, is provided 415 mm from the centerline  50 , while a pair of blue LEDs  78 , each having a dispersion angle of 30° is provided 430 mm from the centerline  50 . Provided immediately before the pair of blue LEDs  76  is a red LED  80 , having a dispersion angle of 30°, and immediately before the blue LEDs  78  is a red LED  82 , having a dispersion angle of 30°. 
   Preferably, the LEDs  74  are spaced from each other by 9 mm, as are the LEDs  80 ,  76  and LEDs  82 ,  78 . Similarly, the LEDs  58 ,  60  are preferably spaced apart by 9 mm. 
   Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the controller  24  may be employed to control individual LEDs, color groups of LEDs, groups of LEDs in juxtaposition to each other, or the like. Further, the controller  24  may be programmed for random energization of the various LEDs, sequential controlled illumination, or illumination tied to and controlled by the music system  26 . The LEDs may be illuminated at a frequency or of a duty cycle determined by the frequency, pitch, tempo or volume of the music system, so desired. Moreover, the light system of adjacent alleys may be controlled in tandem, or independently of each other. 
   Thus it can be seen that the aspects of the invention have been satisfied by the structure and system presented above. The IR LEDs may be continually illuminated during such time that the automated scorer  30  is to be employed, the LEDs may be controlled for a light show, or the fluorescent lamp  46  may be illuminated for standard bowling. In all events, the light system  24  is directed to the pin deck  14 , rather than to the bowling establishment in general. This system provides an aesthetic effect that is pleasant, enjoyable, and yet not overwhelming or distractive in the bowling environment. 
   While in accordance with the patent statutes only the best mode and preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented and described in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby. Accordingly, for an appreciation of the scope and breadth of the invention reference should be made to the following claims.