Abstract: A pair of spaced uprights defining a ball return channel therebetween, a pair of gutters astraddle the uprights, each gutter having an outer edge portion on the adjacent uprights, a plurality of anchor plates extending over said ball return channel and interfitted with the gutter outer edge portions, the plates and gutter outer edge portions being secured to the uprights, a dress cover extending over the ball return channel and anchor plates, removably interconnected to the anchor plates, a pair of upwardly extending, laterally spaced, parallel anchor protrusions proximate the anchor plate edge portions and having oppositely oriented lateral detents, the dress cover having a width greater than the lateral spacing of the protrusions, a pair of parallel, laterally spaced fastener legs depending from the dress cover, and having lateral detents generally aligned with the protrusion detents, at least one of 1) the pair of protrusions and 2) the pairs of legs, being resiliently shiftable to enable locking interenga

Abstract: A billiard table corner construction and method of assembly comprising a table leg having an upper portion with first and second horizontal openings perpendicular to each other, a first sill subassembly including a second horizontal opening therethrough aligned with the table leg second opening, a second sill subassembly normal to the first sill subassembly including a second horizontal opening therethrough aligned with the table leg second opening, a first rod extending through the first horizontal opening in the first sill subassembly and the first opening in the upper portion of the leg sufficiently to intersect the second opening in the leg, the first rod having an inner end, an outer end, and a transverse threaded opening therein adjacent the inner end, a second elongated threaded fastener extending through the second sill subassembly and leg, and aligned with and engaging the threaded transverse opening of the first rod for threaded connection thereto such that the second sill is forced tightly against

Abstract: The lighting system of the present invention includes at least one light string having a plurality of independently controllable light modules, each emitting light in response to an activation signal uniquely associated with the light module. The lighting system preferably includes a controller coupled to the light strings for generating and transmitting activation signals to the light modules to independently control the lights of the light modules. Each of the light modules may include a multi-color lighting device for emitting light of different colors such that the controller may select colors of the light emitted from each one of the light modules.

Abstract: A bowling lane division capping assembly for attachment atop a division support, comprising an elongated lower member and an elongated upper cap member, the lower member comprising a bottom wall for attachment to the division support, a pair of side walls upstanding from said bottom wall, and the side walls having a pair of upper flanges protruding toward each other while defining a space of predetermined width therebetween allowing access to the bottom wall for insertion of fasteners, the upper cap member comprising an upper wall and a pair of spaced legs depending therefrom, the legs being spaced apart an amount about equal to the space width and having laterally outwardly offset detents spaced apart greater than the space width for engagement beneath the flanges to fasten the upper cap member to the lower member.

Abstract: A bowling lane surface comprising a top cover layer hving a pattern of a plurality of elongated simulated boards side-by-side across the width of the lane, the simulated boards across the lane being of alternate light and dark shades, having a symmetrical V pattern of spaced range finders on selected ones of the simulated boards, positioned uniformly across the lane, on the first longitudinal portion of the lane, selected simulated boards, preferably those having the range finders thereon, being outlined by dark lines simulating joints, a plurality of dark elongated markings arranged on selected simulated boards in the second longitudinal portion of the lane.

Abstract: A novel element is added to a bowling game by incorporating an intraviolet light sensitive dye or pigment in a bowling surface (24), a gutter (25), a bowling ball (26), and/or a bowling pin (28). A bowling establishment (10) is provided with an ultraviolet light source (50), (52), which, when conventional lighting, (42), (44), (46) is dimmed and/or turned off, will cause the ultraviolet light sensitive dye or pigment to fluoresce such that the components (24), (26), (30) fluoresce and glow to provide a pleasing effect attractive to bowlers.

Abstract: A bowling lane masking unit having an elevatable panel with first and second pulley wheels at the lower corners, a pair of stabilizing cables each anchored on both ends, passing around the pulley wheels and across the panel to retain the panel vertically aligned when shifted up and down, and a shiftable latch retaining the panel in elevated position.

Abstract: An instant replay system for a bowling scoring system is disclosed in which a video clip of a bowler's approach and deliver of a bowling ball and a video clip of the bowling ball subsequently entering a pin-fall area are filmed, compressed, and stored in a memory device, such as a hard drive. The instant replay system includes a controller for receiving user requests from a user input terminal of the bowling scoring system and for responding to such user requests by selecting a stored video clip and controlling playback of the selected video clip on a display monitor of the bowling scoring system. In this manner, a user may request that the replay video clip be played in at any selected rate, that the controller freeze the display on a specific video frame, and that the controller fast-forward or rewind the video clip. Further, the user may request the replay of any previously stored video clip by specifying the bowler, game, frame and ball of which the video clip is taken.

Abstract: Time consuming, unreliable leveling of the playing surface of a billiard table is eliminated in a billiard table including a base frame (10) adapted to be supported above the underlying terrain by legs. The base frame has an upper top plate (12) of generally rectangular configuration and a slate bed made up of at least two slate sheets (24) with planar upper surfaces (26) disposed in a generally side by side abutting relation overlying the top plate (12). A plurality of nuts (52) are secured to the top plate (12) at predetermined locations thereon and a plurality of leveling screws (62) are provided, one for each nut (52). Each leveling screw includes a threaded shank (62) received in the associated nut (52) in a radially outwardly directed flange (64) at one end of the shank at the interface of the top plate (12) and the slate sheets (24) and engaging one of the slate sheets (24).

Abstract: A bowling ball has an annular band interposed between two spherical segments so as to define an outer peripheral surface of the spherical ball. The first and second spherical segments have respective outer peripheral surfaces formed of a first material having a hook potential, whereas the annular band has an outer peripheral surface formed of a second material having a hook potential different from the hook potential of the first material. In one embodiment the hook potential of the second material is substantially lower than the hook potential of the first material so as to make the ball less sensitive to conditions in the wet portion of the lane and delay significant hooking action until the dry portion so as to improve entry angle and thereby pin count. One way, albeit imperfect, to approximate the hooking potential of a material is to measure its coefficient of friction. A larger coefficient of friction generally leads to a higher hooking potential. A method of using the ball is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved method of using a convertible bowling lane including at least one movably mounted gutter (26) extending along a side (12,14) of a bowling lane bed (10) from the approach (18) toward the pin deck (16) thereof and mounting a ball deflecting rail (32) along the side (12,14) for movement between a first position wherein a ball moving toward the side (12,14) will engage the rail (32) before leaving the bed (10) and a second position wherein a ball moving toward the side (12,14) may leave the bed (10) to enter the gutter (26) and a curtain (100) installed to extend between the side (12,14) and the gutter (26) and to be exposed when the rail (32) is in the first position and covered by the gutter (26) when the rail is in the second position.