Abstract: To improve the structure described in my earlier U.S. Pat. No. 3,954,264, d permit release of the hook (8) upon excessive force being applied by a cross-pin (21) on the hook if an inadvertent or carelessly thrown bowling ball applied a force (G) to the bowling pin wiper blade (35), the hook support arm (4, 5) is formed in two arm portions (4, 5) with a buckle joint (13) therebetween spring loaded to maintain a slightly out-of-line position of the support arm, but permitting buckling if a downward force on pin 21 (FIG. 1) pushes upwardly the camming roller (7) at the lower end of the lower arm portion (5) against a force in spring (32) and thus prevent damage to the suspension arm (1), the support arm (4, 5) and the other components of the mechanism.

Abstract: For releasably attaching electrical conductors 11 or small tubes, the invion provides a U-shaped clip made of a resilient plastics material, which can be plugged into a bore 12 in a support panel 8. The electrical conductors 11, or the like, are held between the two shanks or legs 3 and the crosspiece 4 which connects the latter, and are pressed against the panel 8. In the inserted state, the grooves 6 provided on the shanks 3 engage in the edge of the bore 12. To release the clip, the two shanks 3 are pressed together by finger pressure. This makes it particularly simple to attach the conductors or tubes to the panel.

Abstract: To permit conjoint tilting movement of rifle targets which are slideable on track between a target position and an inspection position to inspect hits on the target, a guide track system is provided to guide movement of the target from the target area towards the firing area; a fixed drive gear is located at the target area to provide about ninety degree rotary movement upon engagement with the drive gear, and coupling apparatus associated with the targets conjointly coupling a plurality of targets to the drive gear when the targets are moved to the target position to swing the targets into a position presenting the targets to the rifleman, and permit rotating the targets by about ninety degrees for subsequent movement towards the firing position to permit inspection of hits by the rifleman.

Abstract: Two vertically extending endless chains have bowling pin holders attached ereto to move the holders to a discharge region. The pin holders are pivotably supported on the chains and each of the holders has at least one projecting arm rigidly connected thereto. The arm is guided in a guide track to so position the bowling pin holders on the chains, when below the discharge region, that bowling pins are retained, the guide track deflecting the arm to permit the holder to pivot and release the pin thereon when at the discharge position.

Abstract: A frame is vertically movable, the frame being arranged to carry out a full troke to pick up still standing bowling pins and a partial stroke to place pins on the surface of a bowling alley; to control the length of the stroke, and provide for soft stopping of the frame at the terminal end of its stroke, a stroke control and limit lever is selectively positionable in interfering relation with respect to the downward movement of the frame. The interference position of the control and limit lever is externally controllable, for example by a electromagnet or solenoid, the lever being further connected to a hydraulic dashpot. When in interfering position, the frame, upon its downward stroke, impinges on the control and limit lever which can deflect, the dashpot gradually braking the downward movement until the deflection limit of the limit lever is reached, for example at the end position of the dashpot.

Abstract: To accept the kinetic energy of moving bowling balls and stop the bowling lls, and transport them from the bowling pin pit to a return mechanism, one, and preferably two vertically staggered bumpers are provided located transversely across the bowling pit, the bumpers being movable and having a movable mass which corresponds essentially to the mass of the bowling balls; to return the bowling balls, an endless rubber belt or cable is moved transversely to the bowling pin pit, for example secured to the lower one of the bumper assemblies, to engage the bowling ball when it has impinged the bumper and is just in front thereof to move it transversely out of the way of the bowling alley pit.

Abstract: The light beam projector and the directive light receiver of a light barr intrusion detector are mounted side by side on a common mounting body which is angularly adjustable in a fixed casing, so as to direct the projected light for maximum reflection to the receiver by a remote mirror. A light emitting diode is provided as a visible indicator on or near the casing or the mounting and responds to the photosensitive element of the receiver through an intermediate amplifier, so that its brightness enables the effectiveness of the directional adjustment to be easily observed.

Abstract: To permit installation of a bowling ball return chute between a pair of ays, and prevent interference of bowling balls admitted from either adjacent alley to the chute, the alleys are formed with openings which are blocked by doors, the doors each including an interlock mechanism mutually engageable with the interlock mechanism of the other so that, upon opening of one door due to pressure of a ball thereagainst, the other door is locked and admission of a ball from the other alley is prevented. The ball is then moved on a rocker which deflects due to the weight of the ball, the deflecting movement being re-transmitted to the previously opened door to close the door, so that a ball from the other alley can then be admitted, the doors being easily opened by impingement of the balls thereagainst.

Abstract: To provide for rapid drop of the bowling pin sweeper for removal of fallen owling pins, without jamming of pins between the sweeper arm, an electromagnetic release such as a magnet operating a sear, triggered, for example, by movement of a bowling ball towards the pins releases the sweeper arm to drop, by its own weight (braked at the end of the fall by a dash pot) prior to initiation of sweeping operation, the remainder of the sweeping cycle being permitted to continue at normal, sweeping speed.