Improvements relating to the Erecting of Skittles and Return of Balls in Skittle-alleys and the like.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Dec., 1890-Accepted, 21st Feb., 1891
COMI DELE DI PUIT
Improvements relating to the Erecting of Skittles and Return of
Balls in Skittle-alleys and the like.
I, WILHELM BRUSE, of No. 119, Grunewaldstrasse, Berlin, in the Empire of
Germany, Joiner, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to skittle-alleys and consists in a device for erecting the
skittles automatically and with a lifting arrangement for obtaining an automatic
return of the skittle-balls to the players.
Fig. 1 represents a miniature skittle table when out of action. By pressing down
the lever H by means of the handle G, said lever rotating on the fulcrum Q, the
platform A B fastened to the lever is raised. In this platform are arranged nine
screws in the same manner as the skittles on the table H. Underneath each
skittle is a hole in the table H', through which passes a cord fastened to the base
of the skittle. The other end of each cord is attached to the screw belonging to
the respective skittle. By this screw the tension of the cords may be regulated,
so that all the skittles fallen down may be erected again simultaneously by raising
the handle G.
At the side A of the platform A B named above, is hinged the slide E F, which
reaches vertically upward in a case constructed at the end of the apparatus.
To this slide E F are screwed, as seen by Fig. 2, the ledges L L and L³. These
three ledges are spaced at intervals and between them fit the ledges M' and M²,
which are fastened to the outer wall J K. All ledges are square, having an
oblique surface above. When a ball enters the opening R (Figs. 1 and 4) it rolls
upon the ledge L'. If one now presses down the handle G, the ball is raised so
far that it rolls upon the ledge M' (Fig. 3) on now releasing the handle G the
slide E F moves downwards and the ball rolls upon the ledge L². A further
pressure upon the handle causes the ball to arrive upon M2 from where by releasing
the handle it rolls upon the ledge L³, finally by a third pressure upon the handle G
the ball is raised as far as the channel N and rolls down through said channel
(Fig. 1) entering at Z the table H which is inclined towards the skittles and by
traversing said table strikes the skittles arriving at the groove V whence it rolls
into the opening R.
By putting in circulation four balls the game of skittles suffers no interruption;
with each pressure upon the handle a ball issues from the opening Z.
W W represents a platform running in a groove, which may be withdrawn in
the direction of W₁ in order to permit a regulating of the tension of the above
mentioned cords. At the lower end of the slot where the lever H projects, a
spring is arranged, which keeps the lever stationary so that the cords which erect
the skittles do not become tensioned before the ball arrives amongst the skittles.
In Figs. 5 to 8 the use of the above described construction is represented for
public skittle alleys, in which the ball is thrown by the hand at a comparatively
long distance towards the skittles.
The lever H, which is securely connected with the platform or frame A, being
however arranged to rotate the latter on the shaft B, is in connection with the
lever H2 by a chain carried over the pulleys F, the latter lever being fixed securely
on the shaft b. The toothed wheel c keyed on the shaft 6 gears with the toothed
segment a which is arranged to revolve on the shaft w and may be operated by the
handle G.
Instead of the toothed circular segment a and the toothed wheel c, a pedal lever
arranged underneath the floor of the skittle-saloon may be used.

page_text: By turning the handle G to the right, the platform A connected with the lever H
is raised by means of the levers H and H connected by the chain.
In the platform or frame A are also arranged nine holes corresponding to the
Skittles on the plane H¹.
The skittles have longitudinal perforations and are connected by means of
suitable chains with the respective nine holes located on the platform A, the skittles
receiving screw-bolts which are connected at their ends with the chains whilst the
end protruding from the head of the skittle receives a nut by which the tension of
the chains may be regulated.
By turning the handle G to the left, the plate. A drops by its own weight, so that
'all the skittles are simultaneously placed upright.
On the front edge of the rising and descending platform A are two square
blocks L' and L2 having oblique surfaces at the top and between the same and
fastened to the outer wall J K is a third square block M', which blocks cause the
automatic return of the balls as described above.
The ball thrown by hand amongst the skittles rolls after having passed the
skittles in consequence of the slanted surface of the floor behind the skittles into
the groove R and thence through a hole in the wall upon the front oblique head of the
bar L', by raising the platform A said ball arrives upon M', thence on lowering
the platform A upon L2, and then by a further raising of A into the channel N
and from here into the collecting box Z.
It will be perceived by the drawing and Specification that no assistant is required
for erecting the skittles and for returning of the balls only mechanical means being
employed operated from the standing ground of the players.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
In a skittle-alley:
1. A device for automatic crection of the skittles consisting of a platform or
frame A operated by a lever, which frame is connected by cords or chains with the
skittles in such a manner, that upon the lowering of the platform A. all the skittles
will be erected simultaneously.
2. In a skittle-alley a device for returning the skittle-balls consisting in the
ledges L', L or L³ movable vertically by mechanical connections from the
standing ground of the players and a stationary wall. J K with the ledges M'
or M², which parts operate together in such a manner that each one ball arriving
on the ledges moves to the next higher ledge and arrives at last in the channel N
inclined in the direction of the players.
Dated this 2nd day of December 1890.
HERBERT & Co.,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.