Abstract: A vacuum bowling lane stripper is provided which has a carriage for movement along a bowling alley from a foul line to the pit. The carriage has a forward portion and a rear portion. A cleaning applicator is provided in the forward portion and a cleaner reservoir is provided in the rear portion. A conduit is provided for supplying cleaner from the reservoir to the applicator for applying cleaner to the bowling alley ahead of the carriage as the carriage is moved along the lane. A vacuum device is provided for removing cleaner and dirt from the surface of the lane, the vacuum device having a vacuum head extending transversely of the forward portion of the carriage and in an operative lane-engaging position.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus is provided wherein cleaner is applied to all or a portion of the lane and the cleaner, oil and other residue is picked up by a vacuum head trailing the cleaner applicator in one trip from the foul line to the pit leaving the lane clean and dry. The cleaner can be applied either by means of an applicator pad or by a sprayer. If desired, the cleaning operation can be limited to the last forty-five feet or so, since it is generally desirable to clean this portion of the lane more often than the front portion. On the return or reverse movement of the stripper, no cleaning operations are undertaken but cleaner may be permitted to flow from the cleaner storage tank to the applicator so that the applicator will have sufficient cleaner in it for the beginning of application on the next lane. A mechanism is provided for bowing the vacuum head so that the center is lower than the side edges so that it conforms generally to the concave shape of a bowling alley.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a combination apparatus is provided wherein cleaner is applied to all or a portion of the lane and the cleaner, dressing and other residue is picked up by a vacuum head trailing the cleaner applicator followed by a buffer roller to apply new dressing to the lane. If desired, the cleaning operation can be limited to the last forty-five feet or so, since it is generally desirable to clean this portion of the lane more often than the front portion. On the return or reverse movement of the stripper, no cleaning operations are undertaken but cleaner may be permitted to flow from the cleaner storage tank to the applicator so that the applicator will have sufficient cleaner in it for the beginning of application on the next lane. In an alternative embodiment, the applicator may be in the form of a spray nozzle to spray cleaner onto the lane.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus is provided wherein cleaner is applied to all or a portion of the lane and the cleaner, oil and other residue is picked up by a vacuum head trailing the cleaner applicator in one trip from the foul line to the pit leaving the lane clean and dry. If desired, the cleaning operation can be limited to the last forty-five feet or so, since it is generally desirable to clean this portion of the lane more often than the front portion. On the return or reverse movement of the stripper, no cleaning operations are undertaken but cleaner may be permitted to flow from the cleaner storage tank to the applicator so that the applicator will have sufficient cleaner in it for the beginning of application on the next lane. Means is provided for bowing the vacuum head so that the center is lower than the side edges so that it conforms generally to the concave shape of a bowling alley.

Abstract: An improved bowling lane stripping apparatus is disclosed of the type wherein the squeegee-equipped pickup head whose function it is to wipe the alley free of dirt-laden solvent is pivotally connected to the carriage carrying the power unit such that this head is free to raise up without gouging the lane surface as the carriage support wheels roll down the ramps leading into the gutters alongside the lane thereby causing the unit to tip forwardly. As a further improvement, the pickup head is so weighted and displaced forwardly of its pivotal connection to the carriage a distance chosen to cooperate with the weighted head and define a cantilevered mounting capable of maintaining the squeegee carried thereby in continuous wiping contact with the lane surface that thus becomes effective to remove even puddles and pools of liquid left in depressed areas of the latter.

Abstract: An authority verification system for verifying the authority of the user of a credit or other account by assigning a different code name to each account. When an account is used, the code name, in enciphered form is written on a certificate along with other information necessary to debit the credit account. Verification apparatus deciphers the code name and compares it with the code name assigned to the account being debited.In addition, when the credit or other account is either a checking account or charge account, other enciphered codes may be included on each check and credit card to protect against alteration of the check or credit card and thus assure check or credit card authenticity.