Abstract: A bowling scoring console is disclosed having a housing and a video display monitor mounted in the housing. The console may have one or more of a video game processor, an Internet access device, and a television receiver mounted in the housing and coupled to the display monitor. Methods are also disclosed for using a video game device and an Internet access device in a bowler staging area of a bowling center.

Abstract: A rack for storing billiard balls including a base having a first engagement surface. The rack also includes an elongated billiard ball holder defining an elongated central space configured to support a plurality of billiard balls in contact with one another in a row. The billiard ball holder includes an opening to the elongated central space such that billiard balls can be inserted into the central space through the opening. The billiard ball can be tilted to roll the stored billiard balls through the opening. The billiard ball holder has a second engagement surface configured to removably engage the first engagement surface of the base and retain the billiard ball holder in a generally upright position wherein the elongated central space extends generally vertically. The billiard ball holder is removable from the base to facilitate transport of the billiard ball holder and stored balls to an associated billiards table.

Abstract: A generally L-shaped mounting arm has one end for coupling to a bowling scoring unit and an opposite end for extending under a table top and including a mounting flange for securing the opposite end of the arm to the undersurface of the table. In one embodiment, an adapter bracket is provided and is coupled to the pedestal mount of a table itself with an extension to receive the opposite end of the mounting arm. Preferably, the scoring unit is mounted to the one end of the arm to allow its rotation for viewing at different angles and convenient access by players sitting adjacent the edge of the table from which the scoring unit extends.

Abstract: A unique pit board is designed for bowling alleys of the type having a pit conveyor assembly with a shaker mechanism to convey downed pins to an associated pinsetter, and comprises top and bottom shell members constructed from a synthetic resin material. The top shell member has a formed upper surface which is inclined downwardly toward a marginal portion to convey downed pins to an adjacent pinsetter. The bottom shell member has formed reinforcing ribs to rigidify the same. The top and bottom shell members are interconnected in an overlying relationship to provide a very rigid, lightweight construction. A mounting member connects the pit board directly to the shaker mechanism without any intermediate frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making and/or decorating bowling balls and the like includes flexible transfer sheets with heat-activated ink applied to at least portions thereof. A form or mold with opposite halves, which shift between open and closed positions, includes a cavity sized to closely receive therein the article to be decorated. At least one transfer sheet is positioned in the mold with the article, such that when the mold is closed, the same are captured in the mold cavity in an overlying relationship. Heat is applied to the mold to a predetermined temperature causing the article to expand through thermal expansion, which expansion is resisted by the mold to uniformly press the transfer sheet against the underlying outer surface of the article, and also causing the heat-activated ink to transfer from the transfer sheet to the outer surface of the article to form the design thereon.

Abstract: A bowling lane having a substantially flat top surface including a foul line end and a pin deck end, the improvement comprising a method and assembly of a polymer sheet of polycarbonate having a thickness between about 0.63 and 2.50 mm, overlaid onto the top surface between the foul line end and pin deck rear end and having a leading edge portion and a trailing edge portion, a strip of double-sided adhesive tape beneath the leading edge portion for securing to the foul line end, and double-sided tape beneath the trailing edge portion for securing it at the pin deck end. Any other mechanical fastening system may also be used to adhere the sheet to the lane. The polymer sheet may be 100% polycarbonate, but may also include a first layer that optionally comprises a lubricious polymeric material such as Teflon® in combination with polycarbonate. The polymer sheet undersurface is free of adhesive.

Abstract: A scoring system for a bowling center having a plurality of lanes includes scoring consoles equal in number to the number of lanes in the bowling center. Each scoring console includes a housing and an input system in the housing for receiving user input data related to the associated lane. The console includes a display device having a surface for displaying video images and a housing for the display device. The housing supports the display device and includes a flange surrounding an open area defining a quadrilateral opening in the housing for viewing the display surface. The display device attaches to the mounting portion. In this manner, the mounting assembly draws the flange toward the display surface to conform the flange to the three-dimensional surface configuration of the display surface.

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