Abstract: A lane maintenance machine having wicks that absorb dressing from a reservoir and transfer it to the applicator of the machine has a gravity-fed dressing supply system that maintains the dressing at a substantially constant level within the wick reservoir. A small pilot chamber upstream from the reservoir and in open communication therewith at the same elevation as the reservoir has its fluid level directly controlled by a float sensor to in turn indirectly control the level within the wick reservoir. The float sensor within the pilot chamber provides a signal to a controller when the level within the pilot chamber drops below a predetermined point so that a control valve between the pilot chamber and the main supply tank opens to allow a makeup volume of dressing to flow by gravity from the main tank into the pilot chamber.

Abstract: As the cleaning machine travels along the lane from the foul line toward the pin deck area, cleaning liquid is sprayed onto the lane surface in periodic discharges of relatively short duration. A soft, thin web of cloth material immediately behind the spray nozzles is looped under a transverse cushion or backup member and is pressed against the wetted lane surface to spread and meter out the liquid into a thin film that passes beneath the cushion as a bead or shallow pool of the liquid is pushed along ahead of the cushion. The film is subsequently lifted entirely off the lane surface to remove all traces of moisture, oil, and grime by a combination squeegee and vacuum head assembly immediately behind the spreading web assembly. Programmable controls on the machine permit the cleaning functions to be carried out in relation to the position of the machine on the lane.

Abstract: The oil application mechanism of a lane conditioning machine has a moving dispensing head that deposits intermittent streams of oil onto the rotating surface of a transfer roller under the control of a programmed control system as the machine moves down the lane. The transfer roller, in turn, transfers the oil to a rotating bristle-type applicator roller that engages the lane and lays down an oil film having a cross-sectional configuration that corresponds to a preselected pattern established by the control system. A smoothing assembly engages the oil immediately after it is deposited on the transfer roller and before it reaches the applicator roller so as to extend the deposit of oil completely around the circumference of the transfer roller in an even layer. The smoothing assembly includes a series of independent, spring-loaded pad units along the length of the transfer roller, each of which includes a section of fabric with a raised nab engaging the surface of the transfer roller.

Abstract: A bowling lane maintenance machine is operable at different speeds for applying selected lane dressing profiles to the lane and for reducing the time required for performing lane maintenance, including cleaning. In the preferred machine, absorbent wicks are used to transfer lane dressing from a reservoir to an applicator assembly. Lane dressing is recycled through an overflow in the reservoir to maintain a constant level and thereby maintaining a constant transfer rate through the wicks. The preferred machine also includes a cleaning assembly for applying a cleaning liquid to the lane and removing the liquid into a spent liquid storage tank. A vacuum pump induces air flow through the cleaning assembly for removing spent cleaning liquid which subjects the liquid in the tank to foaming. A controller stops the vacuum pump for a selected time in order to allow the foam to settle and then restarts the pump.

Abstract: A bowling lane maintenance machine includes a shiftable head operable for discharging successive streams of lane dressing during successive passes along the length of an applicator assembly in order to apply lane dressing to a bowling lane according to a predetermined pattern. The preferred embodiment includes a positive displacement pump that delivers successive equal volumes of lane dressing so that the resulting streams are precisely controlled despite variations in the viscosity of the lane dressing.

Abstract: A bowling lane maintenance machine is operable at different speeds for applying selected lane dressing profiles to the lane and for reducing the time required for performing lane maintenance, including cleaning. In the preferred machine, absorbent wicks are used to transfer lane dressing from a reservoir to an applicator assembly. Lane dressing is recycled through an overflow in the reservoir to maintain a constant level and thereby maintaining a constant transfer rate through the wicks. The preferred machine also includes a cleaning assembly for applying a cleaning liquid to the lane and removing the liquid into a spent liquid storage tank. A vacuum pump induces air flow through the cleaning assembly for removing spent cleaning liquid which subjects the liquid in the tank to foaming. A controller stops the vacuum pump for a selected time in order to allow the foam to settle and then restarts the pump.

Abstract: A bowling lane maintenance machine (10) performs selected maintenance operations on the surface of the bowling lane, shifts itself to the approach area spanning a plurality of lanes behind the foul line end of the lanes, indexes to another lane, and then shifts to the lane to again perform a maintenance operation thereon. The machine (10) includes structural housing (12) cleaning maintenance assembly (14), propulsion assembly (16), and electronic control system (18); which cooperate for controlled maintenance operations as described above.

Abstract: The oil pattern laid down by the automatic machine across the width of the lane and along the length of the lane can be precisely controlled and varied through the use of a series of independently controllable wick assemblies that are individually movable into and out of contacting engagement with the oil applicator of the machine. A programmable controller for the wick assemblies determines which of the wick assemblies will be in oil-transferring contact with the applicator and when.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for applying lane dressing to bowling lane surfaces is provided which precisely controls the desired quantity and distribution of lane dressing applied to selective treatment zones presented by the bowling lane surface. The preferred apparatus includes a plurality of activatable metering pumps which discharge discrete, predetermined quantities of lane dressing to a transfer mechanism. The transfer mechanism distributes and transfers the lane dressing quantities to selected portions of an applicator buffer roller which in turn applies the lane dressing quantities to corresponding bowling lane treatment zones.

Abstract: The frame of the apparatus carries a pair of front and rear rollers extending across the normal path of travel of the frame during use, and a soft web of absorbent material such as terry cloth has its opposite ends coiled around the two rollers and a mid-portion thereof looped beneath a transverse fulcrum roller on the frame which is located between the two coil rollers. Inasmuch as the fulcrum roller is disposed with its lower lane-engaging periphery out of alignment with the peripheries of the other two rollers, the terry cloth web bears against the surface only at two spaced locations, i.e., either the fulcrum and the forward roller or the fulcrum and the rear roller.