Abstract: A panel structure for a bowling lane may include a lane panel having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface forming a bowling surface of the bowling lane. An underlayment may be disposed adjacent the lane panel. A tapered hole may extend from the first surface of the lane panel to the second surface of the lane panel. The area of the hole may be larger at the first surface than at the second surface. The panel structure may also include a fastener having a head and a securing portion. The head may be disposed in the tapered hole and may have a wall having a taper at substantially the same angle as the tapered hole. The securing portion may extend from the head into the underlayment.

Abstract: A bowling lane maintenance apparatus includes a transfer roller and a dressing oil tank configured to contain dressing oil. A wick is configured to pass dressing oil from the tank to the transfer roller. A buffer brush is configured to receive dressing oil from the transfer roller and spread the dressing oil on a bowling lane. The wick may comprise a foam material having a first region having a first capillarity and a second region having a second capillarity differing from the first capillarity. The wick may also be maintained in contact with the transfer roller.

Abstract: A prefabricated flooring system used in a section of a bowling lane such as an approach section. The flooring system includes a plurality of wooden boards having a longitudinal axis. The plurality of wooden boards each having substantially flat side edges along the longitudinal axis. Interior boards of the plurality of wooden boards are bonded together by an adhesive applied on the side edges and two of the outermost boards of the plurality of boards are bonded only on one side edge by the adhesive to adjacent corresponding interior boards to form a preformed approach section of wooden boards. In one aspect, the boards have a thickness of approximately that of the bowling lane. In another aspect, the preformed approach section has a width greater than that of the bowling lane.