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: Overflow of bowling pins in an automatic pinsetter (26) having a distributor (44) for distributing pins to a plurality of pin positions (90) may be substantially reduced by utilizing additional switches (150) in pin spotting cells (120) at each pin position to provide indications of whether a pin is loaded in the associated spotting cell (120), which information may be processed by a CPU (108) and used to deenergize a relay (230) controlling power to the distributor (44), a pit conveyer (34) and a pin elevator (38) to halt operation of such components when pin delivery is not required.

Abstract: A bowling pin orientating device usable with a pin distributing system comprising two spaced apart identical elements. Each element is somewhat elongated and has a pin receiving end, and opposite pin discharging end, and relatively upper and side pin orienting surfaces extending between the ends. The upper surface, near the pin receiving end is interrupted at a location closer to the receiving end than the discharging end by a projection that extends upwardly and away from the side surface. The side surface, at a location on the side of the projection closest to discharging end, has a diagonal lower section merging with a vertical upper additionally define a generous round between the receiving end the projection and a round with a progressively decreasing radius extends between and merges with the generous round and the diagonal and vertical sections of the side surface.

Abstract: A statistical analysis package for a bowling center system provides displays used to analyze bowling ball trajectories. The bowling center system includes a central processing unit having a memory and connected to a ball trajectory unit. The ball trajectory unit generates information representing the trajectory of a bowling ball in a lane which is stored in the processing unit memory. The processing unit memory is operable in response to a user request for selecting trajectory information to develop statistical graphs illustrating historical tendencies at a select trajectory position for display on a monitor.

Abstract: The overall volume and rear end height of an automatic pin setter may be reduced to avoid spacial constraints with a pin distributing system for receiving bowlong pins (33) moving in a generally horizontal path and for distributing pins (33) so received to two spaced paths. The distributing system includes an elongated, horizontal first conveyor (60) defining the horizontal path and having a discharge end (64) from which bowling pin (33) may be discharged along with second and third conveyors (96, 100) in spaced relation to another and each having a pin receiving end located on opposite sides of the discharge end (64). A pin diverter (110) is located between the pin receiving ends and at the discharge end (64) and a pivot (120) is provided to mount the pin diverter (110) for limited pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis to either side of a vertical plane extending through the axis and generally in the direction of elongation of the first conveyor (60).

Abstract: A method of playing a bowling game in which players are allowed at least one ball to deliver during a turn of play. A given trajectory is selected for a ball to follow down a lane. A player is required to deliver at least one ball down the lane in an attempt to duplicate the given trajectory. The degree to which the player's delivered ball duplicates the given trajectory is determined. A score is awarded to the player which is a function of the degree to which the player's ball duplicated the given trajectory.

Abstract: A method of playing a bowling game in which players are allowed a number of balls to knock down all pins in each of a plurality of frames. A plurality of differing pin setups are selected in a random sequence to define the plurality of frames. The number of balls delivered by each player in each frame in order to knock down all the pins in that respective frame are counted. A score is recorded for each player in each frame, the score being inversely proportional to the number of balls delivered. Each player's frame scores are added to determine that player's total score for the game. The player's game scores are compared to determine the winner of the game.

Abstract: A method of playing a bowling game which includes the steps of selecting a course of a predetermined sequence of differing pin setups defining a plurality of frames to be played by a player at his respective playing station. Each player is required to deliver at least one of a preselected maximum number of balls in each of the frames. The number of balls delivered by each player in each frame is counted, along with the number of each player's pins remaining at the end of the frame, to determine a score for each player for each frame. Each player's frame score is recorded as determined by the counting. Each player's frame scores are added to determine that player's total score for the game. The players' game scores are compared to determine the winner of the game.

Abstract: A method of playing a bowling game in which players are allowed a preselected number of balls to knock down all pins in each of a plurality of frames. A sequence of a plurality of differing pin setups of a constant number of pins is selected for each frame, up to a maximum of nine pins. Each player is required to deliver at least one ball in each of the frames. The number of pins knocked down by each player in each frame is counted, with strikes recorded for all pins knocked down by a first ball and spares recorded for all pins knocked down by a second ball. The number of pins knocked down by the respective player on the next two balls is added if a strike was recorded in the previous frame. The number of pins knocked down by the respective player on the next one ball is added if a spare was recorded in the previous frame. This determines the score for each player for each frame, which is recorded.

Abstract: A method of playing a bowling game in which players are allowed a preselected plurality of balls to knock down as many pins as possible in each of a plurality of pin setups. Each player is required to deliver at least one of the preselected plurality of balls and continuing to deliver balls until all the pins in each full pin setup are knocked down. The number of balls delivered by each player and the number of pins knocked down in the respective pin setup are counted, to determine a score for each player for each pin setup. Each player's setup score is recorded as determined by that counting. Each player's setup scores are added to determine that player's total score for the game. The players' game scores are compared to determine the winner of the game.