Abstract: A bowling ball elevating assembly for an automatic pinsetter includes an idler pulley assembly having an idler arm and a tension spring causing the idler arm to maintain tension on a ball wheel belt driving a ball elevating ring member. An adjustment arm and a tension arm are mounted to an idler pulley shaft enabling adjusting the amount of tension applied by the tension spring to the idler arm, and consequently the tensioning force applied by an idler pulley to the ball wheel belt, thereby permitting slippage of the ball wheel belt relative to the ball elevating ring member when bowling pins and a bowling ball become jammed in the pinsetter. An improved idler v-pulley wheel has a reduced frictional engagement with the ball wheel belt, and improved positioning of the ball lift drive belt pulley reduces stress on the ball wheel belt.

Abstract: A bowling ball elevating assembly for an automatic pinsetter includes an idler pulley assembly having an idler arm and a tension spring causing the idler arm to maintain tension on a ball wheel belt driving a ball elevating ring member. An adjustment arm and a tension arm are mounted to an idler pulley shaft enabling adjusting the amount of tension applied by the tension spring to the idler arm, and consequently the tensioning force applied by an idler pulley to the ball wheel belt, thereby permitting slippage of the ball wheel belt relative to the ball elevating ring member when bowling pins and a bowling ball become jammed in the pinsetter. An improved idler v-pulley wheel has a reduced frictional engagement with the ball wheel belt, and improved positioning of the ball lift drive belt pulley reduces stress on the ball wheel belt.