Abstract:
An automatic pinsetter of the type having entirely mechanical logic control is retrofitted with an electrical control system that replaces mechanical start-stop mechanism used to stop and start a clutch which engages a motor driving the sub-systems of the pinsetter. The system includes an electrical control module having a solenoid that operates the clutch, so as to engage or disengage the motor, depending on the current operating state of the pinsetter. A series of switches replace various mechanical linkages to sense pinsetter conditions, and deliver signals to the control module. An out-of-range pin condition can be sensed and automatically cleared by the control system.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims priority to a provisional patent application serial No. 60/446,858 titled, “Electronic Lynx,” filed Feb. 12, 2003. The entire disclosure of serial No. 60/446,858 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention broadly relates to automatic pinsetters used in the sport of bowling, and deals more particularly with a method and apparatus for improving the operation of certain types of existing pinsetter designs.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    In the sport of tenpin bowling, a machine known as automatic pinsetter is used to stand tenpins, clear the pins knocked over by the bowler, and return the ball to the bowler. The pinsetter is able to detect several conditions on the bowling lane surface and respond accordingly.  
           [0004]    The automatic pinsetter was first conceived in the 1930&#39;s, and entered mass production in the early 1950&#39;s. These mass produced pinsetters were of two rather different designs respectively manufactured by the AMF Corporation and the Brunswick Corporation. The AMF design relied on electromechanical logic for machine control (cams, switches, relays and motors). The Brunswick automatic pinsetter, however, employed completely mechanical logic, involving a complicated system of cams, levers, belts and cables all driven by a single motor through a gearbox. Newer designs manufactured by Brunswick are similar to the AMF equipment and use essentially all electronic logic and microcomputers in place of the older electro-mechanical systems.  
           [0005]    Brunswick Corporation produced a series of pinsetters up until about 1985 that were referred to as the Model A or A2 design, and employed completely mechanical logic. Over 100,000 Model A series pin-setters were manufactured by Brunswick, the majority of which are still in operation today. With over 500 moving parts, Model A pinsetters are subject to malfunction due to age, wear, improper adjustment, poor lubrication and other factors. These malfunctions, commonly referred to as a machine “fault”, normally require the intervention of a mechanic or on-site technician to clear the fault and return of machine to service. Excessive downtime of the machines naturally reduces customer satisfaction since the bowler&#39;s game must be interrupted while the machine fault is being cleared.  
           [0006]    Many of the faults that occur in Model A series machines are caused by malfunctions in the mechanical control logic used to stop and start various components in the machine. It would be desirable to replace at least portions of this mechanical control logic with electrical controls in order to eliminate faults caused by mechanical malfunctions. The present invention is intended to satisfy this need in the art.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention provides a method and related apparatus for improving the operation of Series A, automatic pinsetters, by replacing a portion of its mechanical logic with electronic controls.  
           [0008]    According to one aspect of the invention, apparatus is provided for replacing the mechanical start and stop mechanism in an automatic pinsetter. The pinsetter is of the type including a vertically movable deck for setting pins on a lane surface, a turret for loading pins into the deck, a rake for clearing fallen pins from the lane surface, a detector for detecting pins standing on the lane surface, a drive motor, a gear box, a clutch coupling the gearbox with the motor, and a mechanical start-stop mechanism for engaging and disengaging the clutch to start and stop the deck and the rake. The apparatus broadly comprises a set of sensing switches and an electrical controller that is responsive to signals from the switches to control various operations of the pinsetter. The switches includes first, second and third switches respectively generating electrical cycle start, electrical mid-cycle stop, and mid-cycle release signals. The controller is responsive to these signals to: engage the clutch in response to the cycle start signal; disengage the clutch in response to the mid-cycle stop signal; and re-engage the clutch in response to the mid-cycle release signal.  
           [0009]    According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for controlling an automatic bowling pinsetter of the type described above, comprising the steps of: generating an electrical cycle start signal when a first ball passes into the pinsetter; generating a electrical mid-cycle cycle stop signal when an insufficient number of pins are present in the turret; generating an electrical release signal when a sufficient number of pins are present in the turret; and, controlling the operation of the clutch to start and stop the clutch using the cycle start, mid-cycle cycle stop and release signals.  
           [0010]    A primary object of the invention is to provide a method and related apparatus for controlling the operation of automatic pinsetters which eliminates portions of mechanical control logic that are subject to breakage or malfunction.  
           [0011]    Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus as described above which can be readily retrofitted to existing pinsetters with minimum modifications to the pinsetter machine.  
           [0012]    A further object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus of the type mentioned above which improves the reliability of Brunswick Model A type pinsetters and reduces the number of machine faults.  
           [0013]    A still further object of the invention is to provide apparatus as described above which is capable of automatically clearing an out-of-range condition on the pinsetter, without the need for operator intervention.  
           [0014]    Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the type mentioned which can manufactured and supplied as a kit, and easily retrofitted to existing pinsetters.  
           [0015]    These, and other further objects and advantages of the present invention will be made clear or will become apparent during the following description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    In the drawings, which form an integral part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals are employed to designate identical components in the various views:  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the major components and sub-systems of a typical Brunswick Model A series automatic pinsetter, according to the prior art;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a prior art Model A pinsetter;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of certain components of the pinsetter shown in FIG. 2, parts being deleted for clarity of illustration;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the gearbox shown in FIG. 3, including related, mechanical control logic;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but showing the gearbox having been retrofitted with the control system of the present invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the clutch stop arm mechanism, depicting the stop arm in its displaced, clutch engaging position;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of components forming the pit cushion and rake control mechanism;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, perspective view of part of the mechanism shown in FIG. 7, taken on a larger scale, better showing the cycle start switch.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a portion of the detector mechanism showing the mounting for the 180° stop switch;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of the turret assembly, showing the mounting for the 180° release switch;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a portion of the turret assembly shown in FIG. 10, better showing the 180° release switch  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the detector assembly, showing the mounting location of the out-of-range switch;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 13 is a combined block and electrical schematic diagram of the control system that forms the preferred embodiment of the invention; and,  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 14 is a combined block and electrical schematic diagram of a control circuit forming part of the control system shown in FIG. 13. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0031]    Referring first to FIGS.  1 - 4 , a prior art Model A series A automatic pinsetter is broadly depicted, of the type produced by the Brunswick Corporation. The Brunswick Model A series pinsetter is well known in the art, and the details of its construction and operation are readily available in various technical literature as well as the service manual for such pinsetter offered by the manufacturer and designated the “A-2 Automatic Pinsetter Service Manual.” Also, various details of these pinsetters are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,219,345; 3,810,617; 3,809,398; 3,966,206; 4,813,673 the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein. Accordingly, for sake of simplicity, a detailed description of all of the parts of the pinsetter will be omitted, and only those components of the pinsetter that are necessary for an understanding of the construction and operation of the present invention will be discussed.  
         [0032]    Broadly, the Model A2 pinsetter comprises a vertically movable pin deck  20 , a pin turret assembly  26 , elevator wheels  28  and a rake  22 . The various movable components of the pinsetter are powered by a single electric motor  24  which drives these components through a series of pulleys, belts gears and shafts. With 10 pins set on the bowling lane surface  25 , the ball (not shown) passes through the pins and strikes a pit cushion  27  near the rear of the pinsetter. Entry of the ball into the pinsetter is detected by a ball sensor  46  which may comprise a microswitch attached to the pit cushion  27  that is activated when the ball impacts and displaces the pit cushion  27 . Alternatively, the ball may be sensed by an photoelectric device (not shown) which senses passage of the ball using a beam of light.  
         [0033]    Disposed at the rear of the pinsetter, the elevator wheels  28  comprise a pair of steel wheels which constantly turn in opposite directions. One of these wheels, known as the ball elevator, lifts the ball and places it onto rails that carry the ball back to the bowler. The other wheel, referred to as the pin elevator, receives fallen pins and carries them upwardly, depositing them in a turn-around pan (not shown). The turn-around pan receives the pins either head first or base first, turns them and deposits them, base first, on a cross-conveyor  32 . The cross-conveyor  32  consists in part, of two constantly running parallel belts, (not shown), which carry the pins across the top of the pinsetter and places them one at a time into the turret  26 , which in turn stores the pins until it has ten pins and then deposits them into the lane surface  25 . The deck  20  lowers and sets the pins on the lane surface  25 .  
         [0034]    If the bowler does not knock down all the pins with his first ball, the “deadwood” is removed before the second ball is delivered. This operation is accomplished by the deck  20  and the rake  22 . The deck  20  lifts the remaining standing pins up out of the way, the rake  22  sweeps the deadwood into the pit, following which the deck  20  re-spots the standing pins in their original positions. As will be seen later, both the deck  20  and the rake  22  are powered by the motor  24  through a gearbox  36 . The gearbox  36  contains a clutch  34  mechanism which stops and starts pinsetter. A detector mechanism  38  is connected to the deck,  20 , gear box  36 , and rake  22 , and essentially the “brains” of the pinsetter. The detector  38  stores knowledge of pinsetter conditions, directs the operation of the pinsetter and handles any of the various situations that are set up by the delivery of the first ball.  
         [0035]    As previously indicated, the motor  24  directly drives the turret assembly  26 , the elevator wheels  28 , cross-conveyor  32 , and a pit conveyor belt  30  which conveys both the ball and fallen pins to the rear of the pinsetter. As seen in FIG. 1, motor  24  is coupled by clutch  34  to gearbox  36 . Gearbox  36  includes a series of later described output drives which operate the deck  20 , rake  22 , and the turret  26 . The detector  38  couples the deck  20  and the rake  22  with the gearbox  36 .  
         [0036]    The motor  24  is powered and controlled by an electrical control circuit  100  which broadly comprises an AC power source  40 , various transformers and circuit breakers  42 , and a time delay module  48 . A series of microswitches  44  mounted on various parts of the pinsetter provides input signals to the control circuit  100 . A solenoid  50  operates a later discussed clutch control on the gearbox  36  and receives a control signal from time-delay module  48 . The ball sensor  46  actuates the time delay module  48  and causes the latter to delay delivering the clutch control signal to the solenoid  50  for a period of time corresponding to the time necessary to allow the pins to fall and come to rest after the first ball is bowled.  
         [0037]    Before explaining further details of the pinsetter and discussing the invention, the various cycles of the pinsetter will be described, and the related sequence of operations will be explained. One complete cycle of the pinsetter is referred to as 360°. The pinsetter is designed to stop at one-quarter (90°), one-half (180°), and a full cycle (360°). The pinsetter is able to respond to a variety of conditions that may be set up by the delivery of the first ball. After the bowler delivers the first ball, the deck  20  lowers toward the lane surface  25  to determine whether the bowler has thrown a strike or whether some pins remain standing. This process is called “detecting” and occurs at one-quarter cycle (90°). Depending on the conditions detected by the deck  20  and detector  38 , the pinsetter will continue in its cycle as explained below. In the event that the deck  20  finds no pins remain standing at one-quarter cycle, meaning that the bowler has achieved a strike, the deck  20  raises, and rake  22  sweeps the deadwood into the pit to complete one-half cycle (180°). The deck  20  then lowers again and sets ten new pins onto the lane surface  25  to complete three quarter of the cycle (270°). The deck  20  and the rake  22  rise again, preparing the pinsetter for the next ball, and completing a full 360° cycle.  
         [0038]    If, however, the deck  20  lowers and the detector  38  finds some standing pins, the deck  20  grasps the standing pins and raises them, following which the rake  22  sweeps the deadwood into the pit, thereby completing one-half cycle (180°). The deck  20  then lowers the remaining standing pins onto the lane surface  25 , thereby readying the pinsetter for delivery of the second ball. When the second ball is delivered, the deck  20  remains up and the rake  22  sweeps the deadwood. The deck  20  then lowers and sets ten new pins (270°). The deck  20  and rake  22  again rise to prepare the pinsetter for the next ball.  
         [0039]    In some cases, the ball may strike a pin in such a way that the pin moves laterally but does not fall. The pin may move far enough to prevent it from being lifted up by the deck  20 . To prevent this so called “out-of-range” pin from being swept into the pit, the deck  20  moves down, the detector  38  detects the out of range pin and the pinsetter stops. Before the bowler may bowl again, it is necessary for an attendant to remove the deadwood manually, reset the out-of-range pin, and actuate an out-of-range reset lever (not shown) which restarts the pinsetter. Certain prior art Series A type pinsetters are equipped with automatic out-of-rage detectors which stop the machine when an out-of-range condition is detected.  
         [0040]    Referring particularly now to FIGS. 3 and 4, a belt  52  coupled with electric motor  24  drives a pulley assembly  54  mounted on the gearbox  36 . The pulley assembly  54  is connected to an input worm shaft  56  through the magnetic, friction clutch  34  (FIG. 1) to drive an internal main driveshaft (not shown) within the gearbox  36 . The clutch  34  is engaged and disengaged through the movement of a V-shaped clutch yolk assembly  58  which is hinged to an arm of a clutch lever  60  that is in turn pivoted on the gearbox  36 . The yoke assembly  58  comprises a pair of clutch shoes (not shown) which ride in a groove of a clutch drive disk assembly (not shown) inside the gearbox  36 . The yoke assembly  58  is connected at its lower regions to an arm of the clutch cam follower lever  98 , which in turn is driven by a clutch cam  96 .  
         [0041]    The main drive shaft within the gearbox  36  is connected through a series of internal gears (not shown) to four external shafts that rotate in various ratios relative to the main drive shaft. These output shafts comprise a 4:1 shaft driving the clutch cam  96 , a main gearbox 1:1 shaft driving the cycle cam  94 , another 1:1 shaft driving the detector cam  92 , and a 2:2 shaft. A complete cycle is equivalent to 1 complete revolution of one of the 1:1 shafts. These varying revolution per pin cycle shafts are required because there are operations which may occur once, twice, or four times during each cycle. The clutch cam  96  can stop the pinsetter four times in one cycle, i.e. at 90°, 180°, 270°, and 360°. The 2:1 shaft drives a deck lowering hook assembly (not shown) which can raise and lower the deck  20  twice in one cycle (once to detect and once to re-spot pins).  
         [0042]    Four times in every cycle, as the clutch cam  96  rotates, the lobe on this cam rotates the clutch cam follower lever  98 . This movement of the follower lever  98  disengages the clutch at 90°, 180°, and 270° and 360° as desired. A stop arm  62  can be moved under the free end of the clutch lever  60  at 90°, 180° 270° and 360°. When this stop arm  62  is disposed under the end of the clutch lever  60 , the clutch  34  will disengage as the lobe of the clutch cam  96  rotates the clutch cam follow lever  98 . When the stop arm  62  is not under the clutch lever  60 , the clutch  34  is in its engaged state.  
         [0043]    As the rising slope of the clutch cam  96  rotates the clutch cam follower lever  98  counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 4, the lever  98  moves the lower end of the yolk assembly  58  forward. If the stop arm  62  is not under the end of the clutch lever  60 , the forward motion of the bottom of the yoke assembly  58  will have no effect, since the top of the yoke assembly will move to the rear, the yoke assembly will pivot on the clutch shoes, and the shoes will continue to ride in the slot in the clutch drive disk assembly (not shown). At this point the clutch is engaged.  
         [0044]    If, however, the stop arm  62  is under the clutch lever  60 , the top pivot point of the yoke assembly  58  becomes fixed in space as the clockwise motion of the clutch lever  60  is restricted by the stop arm  62 . The entire yoke assembly  58  will pivot from its top pivot point as the bottom of the yoke  58  moves forward. At this point, the drive pulley  54  is free to rotate on its bearings without driving the clutch disk drive and internal drive shaft, and the clutch  34  is in a state of disengagement.  
         [0045]    The starting and stopping operation of the gearbox  36  is controlled by a triggering mechanism commonly referred to as a start-stop mechanism, consisting primarily of the three levers: a clutch actuator lever  71 , a plunger lever  82 , and a clutch release lever  84 . These three latter mentioned levers are pivoted on a common shaft  73  but are free to rotate independently of each other. The clutch actuator lever  71  carries the stop arm  62  which can move under the clutch lever  60  to disengage the clutch. A spring  51  on the stop arm  62  urges it clockwise into its stopped position. The plunger lever  82  is pinned at one of its ends to an enclosed slot in clutch actuator link  78  and is connected at its other end to the plunger of a dash-pot (not shown) which absorbs the shock of rotation of the triggering mechanism. The plunger lever  82  is spring-urged in a counterclockwise direction. The clutch release lever  84  carries a pin that rides in an open slot within the clutch actuator link  78 . The clutch release lever  84  has a top projection which can contact the stop arm  62  and move it backward, out from under the clutch lever  60 , thereby engaging the clutch to start a cycle.  
         [0046]    With the clutch  34  disengaged, and the triggering device latched, a spring (not shown) on the plunger lever  82  urges these two levers counterclockwise. At the same time, a reset pin (not shown) in the open slot of the clutch actuator  78  is on top of a clutch latch  72 . The levers are prevented from moving counterclockwise and clutch actuator link  78  is prevented from rising by the clutch latch  72  being held by a pin on the clutch reset lever  84 . The reset lever  84  is positioned by a cycle cam. The clutch latch  72  is spring urged in a forward, latched direction and is attached through a short connection to a starter, bell crank lever  70 .  
         [0047]    When a ball strikes the pit cushion  27 , the cushion  27  pivots slightly to the rear and through a collapsible release mechanism (not shown) lowers the rake  22  to its sweeping position. As the rake  22  lowers, the rotation of the rake lift shaft (described later) mechanically activates the electrical time delay module  48  which starts a timer running to provide sufficient time delay for wobbling pins to fall before the time delay module  48  sends a signal to solenoid  50  (sometimes referred to as the “cycle” solenoid).  
         [0048]    The cycle solenoid  50  is mounted on the gearbox  36  directly above the starter bell crank lever  70  and is attached to the lever  70  through a triggering link  68 . When the cycle solenoid  50  is energized, the triggering link  68  is pulled forwardly, thus rotating the bell crank lever  70  counterclockwise and, through a short connection, pulls the clutch latch  84 .  
         [0049]    With the clutch latch  84  withdrawn from under the pin, the plunger lever  82  is urged in a counterclockwise direction, and rotates counterclockwise to force the actuator link  78  upward. The actuator link  78  then comes to a stop, preventing further rotation. A projection on the clutch release lever  84  contacts and rotates the actuator lever stop arm  62 , engaging the clutch  34  as previously described.  
         [0050]    The time delay described above is utilized during the first ball cycle only. On the second ball cycle, the deck  20  does not lower to detect pin fall, therefore the time delay  48  module does not delay operation of the solenoid  50 . The time lapse between ball impact and sweeping by the rake  22  is adequate to allow wobbly pins to fall. The pinsetter is stopped and then restarted using two different methods. At the end of a strike cycle or standing pin cycle, the pinsetter is required to stop at 0° with the clutch latch  72  under the reset lever pin and all levers in position so it requires ball impact to engage the clutch  34 .  
         [0051]    However, at 180°, the pinsetter may have to stop if the deck  20  does not have 10 pins to deliver to the lane surface  25  and then restart without ball impact after the deck  20  receives 10 pins. This requires a special 180° stop mechanism which is mounted on the gearbox  36  but only partially shown in FIG. 4. In addition, further mechanism is provided to disengage the clutch when an out-of-range pin condition exists. This mechanism, only partially shown in FIG. 4, includes an out-of-range stop lever mounted on shaft  73  which is controlled by linkage (not shown) connected with and driven by the detector  38 .  
         [0052]    From the foregoing, it is clear that the “start and stop mechanism” carried on the gearbox  36  which controls operation of the clutch  34  is a relatively complicated mechanism formed from links, pins, cams and shafts. This mechanism can fail or malfunction for any of a wide variety of reasons, producing a machine fault.  
         [0053]    Reference is now made to FIG. 5 which shows the control system of the present invention, and also depicts the gearbox  36  with numerous parts of the previously described start and stop mechanism having been removed.  
         [0054]    The parts which have been removed are replaced by the present control system, include the following major items: cycle solenoid  50 ; starter bell crank lever  70 ; pin detector link  80 ; turret interlock link  76 ; reset lever  74 ; clutch latch  72 ; clutch actuator link  78 ; short link connection (not shown); plunger lever  82 ; springs,  88 ,  90 ; and strike cam link  112 . In accordance with the present invention, this latter mentioned list of parts, including related pins and biasing springs, are replaced by an electronic controller mounted on gearbox  36 , along with three later discussed sensing switches.  
         [0055]    Referring now concurrently to FIGS.  5 - 14 , the control system of the present invention includes a control module  120  which is secured to the gearbox  36  by mounting plate  122  and suitable fasteners. The module  120  includes a control circuit contained within a protective housing  104 . The details of the control circuit are shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. The circuit includes a pair of later discussed solenoids  146 ,  148  having reciprocal plungers (not shown) that are respectively connected with control links  114 ,  116 . As best seen in FIG. 5, the lower end of control link  114  is coupled by a pivotal connection to one end  83  of the bell crank shaped clutch release lever  84 . The other end  85  of the clutch release lever  84  normally bears on the clutch actuator lever  71 . Spring  77  connected to a projection  75  on one end of lever  71  normally biases lever  71 , and thus stop arm projection  62 , to rotate in a clockwise direction. One end of the clutch lever  60  is bifurcated to receive the projection  62 , and includes a roller  70  which contacts and rolls along an edge of the stop arm  62 .  
         [0056]    When the clutch  34  is in its disengaged state, stop arm  62  is disposed beneath the roller  79 , maintaining the clutch lever  60  in its raised, disengaged position. To engage the clutch  43 , solenoid  146  pulls control link  114  upwardly, causing the clutch release lever  84  to rotate counter-clockwise. This counter-clockwise movement results in the end  85  of he clutch lever  84  displacing the clutch actuator lever  71  counter-clockwise, overcoming the biasing force of the spring  77  and moving the stop arm  62  away from beneath the roller  79 . As the stop arm  62  moves away (toward the left as viewed in FIG. 6), roller  79  moves down along the edge of lever  71 , displacing the clutch lever  60  to engage the clutch  34 . When the clutch cam  96  (FIG. 5) is actuated to disengage the clutch  34 , clutch lever  60  moves upwardly (as viewed in FIG. 6), and the spring  77  causes the actuator lever  71  to rotate clockwise, in turn causing the stop arm  62  to move back into blocking relationship beneath the roller  79 .  
         [0057]    The lower end of control link  116  (FIGS. 5 and 9) is connected by a pivot pin to an out-of-range, reset control arm  118  which forms part of the detector  38 . Movement of control link  116  results in resetting the pinsetter after the detection of an out-of-range condition. The control circuit contained within the module housing  104  is connected to various parts of the pinsetter through a series of electrical contacts contained within connectors  134 ,  136  and  138 . Connector  134  connects the control module  120  with sensing switches  106 ,  108 ,  110  as well as the time delay module  48 . Connector  136  couples the control module  120  with a 115 volt AC power source. Finally, connector  138  couples with the control module  120  with the out-of-range switch  140 .  
         [0058]    The control module  120  includes three status lights,  128 ,  130 ,  132  whose function will become later apparent. Additionally, a pair of momentary push-type switches,  124 ,  126  are provided. Switch  124  functions as an on-off switch for the entire control system, while switch  126  initiates, upon depression, a machine cycle.  
         [0059]    Referring particularly to FIG. 13, a 115 AC power source is coupled via connector  136  through a fuse  152  to pins  1  and  3  of a control circuit  150 , the details of which are shown in FIG. 14. The solenoids  146 ,  148  are powered by the 115 volt AC source, and controlled by the control circuit  150 .  
         [0060]    In addition to the connections previously described, connector  134  couples a 24 volt AC source with the control module  150 , as shown in the lower left-hand corner of FIG. 13. A 24 volt relay  142  controls switch contacts  144  which, when closed, connect 115 volts across solenoid  146 . As previously described, the plunger (not shown) of solenoid  146  is coupled with control link  114 , to control operation of the clutch lever  60 . Switches  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  140  as well as time delay relay  48  are each coupled with and form inputs to the control circuit  150 .  
         [0061]    Referring now particularly to FIG. 14, 24 volt DC power coupled across pins  4  and  5  of control circuit  150  is rectified by a rectifier  154 , clamped by a clamping circuit  156  and filtered by a capacitor  158 . The resulting DC voltage is regulated by a linear regulator  160  so as to provide a regulated, 5 volt DC input to a microcontroller  162 . Microcontroller  162  may comprise, for example, a PIC 12F629P microcontroller circuit such as that available from Microcircuits, Inc. Although not specifically shown, microcontroller  162  includes a microprocessor, suitable memory and associated control architecture to function as a microcomputer for controlling operations of the control module  150 . As previously mentioned, the control module  150  receives a number of input signals. These signals are input to the microcontroller  162  as follows. A 180° stop signal produced by switch  106  is delivered to pin  4  of the microcontroller  162 . A 180° release signal produced by switch  106  is delivered to pin  3  of the microcontroller  162 , and an out-of-range signal generated by the switch  140  is input to pin  2  of the microcontroller  162 . Microcontroller  162  is responsive to these various signals indicative of machine conditions to control the operation of relays  164 ,  166  via a corresponding pair of switching transistors  168 ,  170 . Relay  164  is operative to close relay contacts  170  which couples the 115 volt AC source across solenoid  146 . Similarly, relay coil  166  closes relay contacts  172 , coupling 115 volts across solenoid  148 .  
         [0062]    In operation, to initialize the control system, on-off switch  124  is moved to its actuated, on position, thereby coupling 24 volts to the control circuit. At this point, before a bowler bowls the first ball, switches  106 ,  108  and  110  are in the respective positions shown in FIG. 13. Additionally, the contacts of the time-delay relay  48  are open. When the bowler bowls the first ball, the ball enters the pinsetter and strikes and displacing pit cushion  27  at the rear of the pinsetter. This displacement results in moving switch  106  to its closed position, thereby delivering 24 volts to the contacts of the time-delay relay  48 . The time delay relay  48  is also actuated by displacement of the pit cushion  27 , or in those cases where a photoelectric ball detector is used, the time-delay relay  48  is actuated by a signal produced by the ball sensor  46 .  
         [0063]    In any event, the contacts of the time-delay relay  48  close after a few seconds, allowing the pins to fall and come to rest. Closure of the time-delay relay  48  couples 24 volts across relay  142 , resulting in the closure of relay contacts  144 . Upon closure of contacts  144 , 115 volts is coupled across solenoid  146 , causing link  114  to move upwardly, in turn causing the stop arm  62  to move out from beneath the clutch lever  60 . With stop arm  62  having been so displaced, clutch arm  60  moves downwardly, thereby engaging the clutch via the yoke assembly  58 . With the clutch engaged, a machine cycle is commenced where the rake  20  initially moves downwardly toward the lane surface  25  and stops while the deck  20  moves down to detect and grasp any pins that remain standing. As the rake  22  moves downwardly, switch  106  is moved back to an open position, thereby applying 24 volts on pin  5  of the control circuit  150 . At the same time, movement of switch  106  to an open position removes power from relay  142 , causing contacts  144  to open, thereby removing power from solenoid  146 .  
         [0064]    Microcontroller  162  is programmed to delay a brief period, e.g. 2 seconds after it receives power via pin  5  of the control circuit  150  and then outputs a signal to transistor  168  which switches power to relay  164 . Relay  164  closes relay contacts  170  thereby connecting a circuit between pins  1  and  3  of the control circuit  150 . With pins  1  and  3  so connected, 115 volts is maintained across solenoid  146  in spite of the fact that contacts  144  have been open as a result of relay  142  having been de-energized. With solenoid  146  remaining in its actuated state, the clutch  34  remains engaged and the pinsetter continues through its cycle. Solenoid  146  remains energized until switch  106  is switched back to its normally closed position as a result of the rake  22  returning to its raised, rest position at the end of the cycle. It should be noted here that the time delay feature of the microcontroller  162  described above could be adapted to eliminate the need for the time delay module  48 , if desired.  
         [0065]    At one quarter cycle, if the detector  38  detects an out-of-range condition, switch  140  is closed thereby connecting pins  8  and  9  of the control circuit  150 . The control circuit  150  responds to the out-of-range input signal by turning on switching transistor  170  which energizes relay  166 . With relay  166  energized, relay contacts  172  are switched closed, thereby connecting a circuit between pins  1  and  2  of the control circuit  150 . With pins  1  and  2  of control circuit  150  closed, 115 volts is coupled across the solenoid  148 . When solenoid  148  is energized, its plunger moves link  116  toward the left as viewed in FIG. 5, which in turn displaces the out-of-range reset lever  116 . The control circuit  150  pulls solenoid  148  to its powered state for only a brief interval, e.g. 4 seconds. After this brief interval, control circuit  150  de-energizes relay  166 , thereby de-powering solenoid  148 , allowing the out-of-range reset lever  116  to shift back to its normal position. The clutch  34  remains engaged throughout this sequence of events, resulting in the deck moving back up to its raised position, following which the rake raises, readying the pinsetter for the next ball. In the event that there are fallen pins remaining on the lane surface  25  that may interfere with the next ball, an attendant must be called to clear these fallen pins. Otherwise, however, the automatic out-of-range feature of the preset invention eliminates, in many cases, the need for intervention by an attendant.  
         [0066]    Assuming that an out-of-range condition does not exist, the rake  22  sweeps deadwood to the rear of the pinsetter and returns to its forward, lowered position in preparation for the deck  20  setting the remaining standing pins, or in the case of a strike, setting ten pins. In the event that ten pins have not yet been loaded into the turret assembly  26 , switch  110  is switched from its normally opened to its normally closed position, thereby connecting pins  7  and  8  of the control circuit  150 . Control circuit  150  responds to the input signal on pin  7  by de-powering relay  164  which in turns removes power from solenoid  146 , causing the gear box clutch  34  to disengage.  
         [0067]    The clutch  34  remains disengaged while the pinsetter continues to load pins into the turret assembly  26 . When the turret assembly  26  is fully loaded with pins, switch  108  closes, coupling pins  6  and  8  of the control circuit  150 . The signal on pin  6  is interpreted by the control circuit  150  as a command to reengage the clutch  34  in order to continue the cycle. Consequently, the microcontroller  162  energizes relay  164 , causing power to be reapplied to solenoid  146  which in turn reengages the clutch  34 .  
         [0068]    [0068]FIG. 7 shows the relationship between the pit cushion and the rake control mechanism which controls the operation of the rake  22 . Impact of the ball with the cushion  27  causes the latter to pivot. This pivotal motion displaces connecting rods  212  and  214 , causing a mechanism (not shown to release crank arm  216 . Partial rotation of crank arm  216  allows rake lift rod  210  to move downwardly, in turn lowering the rake  22 . Referring also now to FIG. 8, the crank arm  216  is secured to and rotates with a rotatable rake lift shaft  206 . A rake sweep arm  208  connects the rake  22  with a rake sweep shaft  202 . The switch  106  is secured by a mounting bracket  200  to a stationary center brace rod  204 . An actuator clip  208  secured on the lift shaft  206  is aligned with a trip lever  210  on the switch  106 , so as to normally engage and hold down trip lever  210 . When the ball strikes the pit cushion  27  causing the rake  22  to drop, the shaft  206  rotates, resulting in the clip moving off the trip lever  210  to actuate switch  106 . This actuation of switch  106  sends a cycle start signal to the control circuit  150  to start a machine cycle. The cycle start switch  106 , in combination with other parts of the control system, effectively replaces the reset lever, clutch latch, starter bell crank, clutch actuator link and short link of the previously described stop-start mechanism.  
         [0069]    [0069]FIG. 9 shows the mounting position of the 180° stop switch  110 . Stop switch  110  is mounted of the side of a support plate  115  which forms part of the detector  38 . Switch  100  includes a spring loaded actuating button  113  which is disposed in the path of movement of a detector timing pin  111  carried on a cam follower  113 . Cam follower  113  includes a roller  222  which engages and follows detector timing cam  127 . In the event that 10 pins have not been delivered to the turret  26 , cam  127  displaces follower  220 , causing pin  11  to actuate the 180° stop switch  110 . The 180° stop switch along with certain other components of the control system, effectively replace the pin detector link of the previously described, prior art start-stop mechanism.  
         [0070]    [0070]FIGS. 10 and 11 shows the details of the 180° release switch  108 . Switch  108  is secured on a bracket  123  which forms part of the turret frame  117 . A rotatable cross shaft  119  passes through openings in the rear of the frame  117 . The cross shaft  119  includes a pin  121  passing through one of its ends. The 180° release switch  108  is mounted on the bracket  123  and includes a trip lever  125  aligned so as to be contacted and displaced by the pin  121  upon rotation of the shaft  119 . The 180° release switch  108 , in combination with other components of the inventive control system, effectively replaces the plunger lever, 180° turret interlock link, clutch release lever, and spot-stop caller of the previously described, prior art start-stop mechanism.  
         [0071]    [0071]FIG. 12 shows the mounting details for the out-of-range switch  140 . Switch  140  is secured to one side of a plate  143  forming part of the detector  38 . A bell-crank out-of-range lever  118  is mounted on plate  143  and has an upper end  145  positioned to contact a trip lever  141  of switch  140 . When an out-of-range condition is detected, bell crank lever  118  is driven to rotate clockwise by an out-of-range selector cam (not shown), causing the upper end  145  to close the switch  140 . As previously described, closure of switch  140  results in solenoid  126  pulling the out-of-range reset lever  116  toward the left as viewed in FIG. 12, thereby resetting the pinsetter in preparation for the next bowled ball. Lever  116  is pivotally connected to the upper end of a rake sweep hook cam follower lever  147  which pivots about shaft  149 . The follower lever  147  includes a follower roller that rides on a rake sweep hook cam (not shown). A link  155  (FIGS. 7 and 12) and is pivotally connected to the upper end of follower lever  147 , while a control ink  157  is pivotally connected at the lower end of the lever  147 . The link  155  is connected to the rake control mechanism shown in FIG. 7, and the control link  157  is connected to a deck holding hook (not shown) which controls movement of the deck  20 .  
         [0072]    When the reset lever  116  is pulled to the left (FIG. 12) by the solenoid  126 , link  155  shifts to the left, and control link  157  shifts to the right. This shifting of link  155  causes rake  36  to rise. Shifting of the control link  157  causes the deck holding hook (not shown) to capture certain mechanism on the deck which holds the deck in its raised position until after the next ball is bowled.  
         [0073]    The preferred embodiments, aspects, and features of the invention having been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous variations, modifications, and substitutions may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as disclosed and further claimed below.