Abstract: A magnetically responsive bowling pin having a first upwardly open cavity in its head portion and a second elongated cavity smaller and cross-section and extending downwardly in the head portion of a bowling pin. The first cavity receives a plastic cap having a top portion and a skirt with a permanent magnet and a plastic plug disposed in press fit engagement within the skirt. The skirt in turn is in press fit engagement with the wall of the first cavity to retain the assembled magnet and plastic parts in the desired position in the cavity. The second elongated cavity serves to remove material from the body of the bowling pin and thus compensates for the added weight of the permanent magnet and the slight additional weight of the plastic cap and plastic plug. As a result, the desired weight, weight distribution and balance of the bowling pin is not disturbed.

Abstract: An automatic pinsetter employing magnetically responsive bowling pins, an elevator mechanism for retrieving bowling pins from a pit area adjacent an end portion of a bowling alley and for transporting the same to a pin discharge station above a transfer mechanism. The pins are arranged in bowling array on a transfer mechanism which is thereafter moved horizontally beneath a pinsetting mechanism. The pinsetting mechanism employs magnetic means for elevating the pins, the transfer mechanism is retracted from beneath the pinsetting mechanism, and the latter thereupon deposits the pins on the bowling alley in bowling array. The pinsetting mechanism is also adapted to pick-up and replace remaining upright pins after a first ball has been thrown whether the pins reside in "on spot" or "off spot" positions.

Abstract: A magnetically responsive bowling pin having a first upwardly open cavity in its head portion and a second elongated cavity smaller and cross-section and extending downwardly in the head portion of a bowling pin. The first cavity receives a plastic cap having a top portion and a skirt with a permanent magnet and a plastic plug disposed in press fit engagement within the skirt. The skirt in turn is in press fit engagement with the wall of the first cavity to retain the assembled magnet and plastic parts in the desired position in the cavity. The second elongated cavity serves to remove material from the body of the bowling pin and thus compensates for the added weight of the permanent magnet and the slight additional weight of the plastic cap and plastic plug. As a result, the desired weight, weight distribution and balance of the bowling pin is not disturbed.

Abstract: An automatic pinsetter employing magnetically responsive bowling pins, an elevator mechanism for retrieving bowling pins from a pit area adjacent an end portion of a bowling alley and for transporting the same to a pin discharge station above a transfer mechanism. The pins are arranged in bowling array on a transfer mechanism which is thereafter moved horizontally beneath a pinsetting mechanism. The pinsetting mechanism employs magnetic means for elevating the pins, the transfer mechanism is retracted from beneath the pinsetting mechanism, and the latter thereupon deposits the pins on the bowling alley in bowling array. The pinsetting mechanism is also adapted to pick-up and replace remaining upright pins after a first ball has been thrown whether the pins reside in "on spot" or "off spot" positions.

Abstract: In an automatic pinsetter having an elevator mechanism for receiving bowling pins seriatim at a lower entrance portion from a pit area at a rear end of a bowling alley and for transporting the same upwardly for discharge at an upper end portion, a frutso-concial baffle is provided and is suspension mounted forwardly of the elevator mechanism and above a rearwardly moving conveyor. Fallen bowling pins in indiscriminate arrangement proceed rearwardly on the conveyor beneath a bridge which obstructs rearward ball movement and passes prone bowling pins only. Left and right hand guides cooperate with the baffle to define left and right hand entry passageways for the bowling pins in rearward movement to the entrance of the elevator mechanism. The passageways are insufficient in width to accommodate the side-ways passage of bowling pins. The baffle is also free to move in any direction over a limited degree of movement.

Abstract: In a bowling game, an apparatus to automatically retrieve knocked down tenpins from the skittle alley, after each ball strike aimed thereat. The apparatus includes a series of cables each connected to the head of a corresponding one of the tenpins. The cables are connected to a computer controlled slider, guidingly carried by a horizontal rail and power driven in reciprocating motion by an endless belt. Once at least one tenpin is struck by a ball, all tenpins are lifted by their cables through actuation of the motor of the power driven endless belt. The slider then returns to its initial position, which will enable the cables to yield to the weight bias of their pins and therefore allow all of the latter--but for the knocked down tenpin--to fall back to their upstanding position on the skittle alley.

Abstract: A bowling alley having at least one elongated bowling ball runway, at least one downwardly offset concave gutter sidewisely depending from the runway, and at least one upwardly offset partition bar sidewisely depending from the opposite side edge of the gutter. A first wear-resistant semi-rigid protecting capping removably covers the upper portion of the partition bar. A second wear-resistant flexible protecting lining removably covers the top face of the gutter. Each of the capping and lining further has lengthwise ridges, whereby should the bowling ball engage the gutter or the bar, the ridges will bias the bowling ball travel in a path parallel to the elongated runway while prolonging the useful lifetime of the bowling alley. The cappings and linings also decrease the noise produced by the bowling balls.