Abstract: A bowling alley bumper system including a pair of retractable bumper assemblies for use with a bowling lane to prevent bowling balls from entering either gutter when the retractable bumper assemblies are deployed, each retractable bumper assembly comprises an elongated retractable rail selectively movable between a retracted position and a deployed position disposed between one side of the bowling lane and the corresponding gutter such that when either elongated retractable rail is in the retracted position a bowling ball can enter the corresponding gutter and when either elongated retractable rail is in the deployed position a bowling ball is prevented from entering the corresponding gutter.

Abstract: A rail positioning device for use with a retractable bumper assembly that includes an elongated rail movable between a retracted position and an elevated position supported by a plurality of rail support members to prevent bowling balls from entering a bowling lane gutter adjacent the retractable bump assembly when the elongated rail is in the elevated position wherein the rail positioning device comprises a rail positioning assembly disposed in operational relationship relative to a rail positioning actuator each movable between a retracted position and an extended position such that when the rail positioning assembly is moved from the retracted to the extended position by the rail positioning actuator moving from the retracted position to the extended position the rail positioning assembly engages the elongated rail to move the elongated rail from the retracted position to the elevated position to prevent a bowling balls from entering the adjacent gutter.

Abstract: A bowling alley bumper system including a pair of retractable bumper assemblies for use with a bowling lane to prevent bowling balls from entering either gutter when the retractable bumper assemblies are deployed, each retractable bumper assembly comprises an elongated retractable rail selectively movable between a retracted position and a deployed position disposed between one side of the bowling lane and the corresponding gutter such that when either elongated retractable rail is in the retracted position a bowling ball can enter the corresponding gutter and when either elongated retractable rail is in the deployed position a bowling ball is prevented from entering the corresponding gutter.

Abstract: A rail positioning device for use with a retractable bumper assembly that includes an elongated rail movable between a retracted position and an elevated position supported by a plurality of rail support members to prevent bowling balls from entering a bowling lane gutter adjacent the retractable bump assembly when the elongated rail is in the elevated position wherein the rail positioning device comprises a rail positioning assembly disposed in operational relationship relative to a rail positioning actuator each movable between a retracted position and an extended position such that when the rail positioning assembly is moved from the retracted to the extended position by the rail positioning actuator moving from the retracted position to the extended position the rail positioning assembly engages the elongated rail to move the elongated rail from the retracted position to the elevated position to prevent a bowling balls from entering the adjacent gutter.

Abstract: A bowling alley bumper system including a pair of retractable bumper assemblies for use with a bowling lane to prevent bowling balls from entering either gutter when the retractable bumper assemblies are deployed, each retractable bumper assembly comprises an elongated retractable rail selectively movable between a retracted position and a deployed position disposed between one side of the bowling lane and the corresponding gutter such that when either elongated retractable rail is in the retracted position a bowling ball can enter the corresponding gutter and when either elongated retractable rail is in the deployed position a bowling ball is prevented from entering the corresponding gutter.

Abstract: The bumper system of the subject invention prevents a bowling ball from entering the gutters, redirecting the ball into the lane. The bumper system comprises a longitudinal rail with a plurality of pivot arms affixed thereto. The bumper system is pivotally affixed it the lane bed such that when the bumper system is in a retracted position the horizontal surface of the longitudinal rails are in a substantially abutting relation to the side of the lane, and the adjacent gutters are adapted to receive any balls that are bowled towards either side of the lane, directing the balls to the end of the lane, missing the pin deck. In an extended position, the longitudinal rails prevent balls from entering the adjacent gutters, redirecting balls into the lane, such that the balls strike the pins in the pin deck.

Abstract: A bowling alley pinsetter includes a conveyor belt forming a partial central portion of a pit surface. Hard plastic panels having a slippery top surface flank the central conveyor. The panels are inclined downward from pit kickbacks toward the conveyor belt for deflecting balls and pins onto the belt. Pins are delivered to a pin elevator by the belt. A ball stop extending transversely across is elevated for passing pins beneath while stopping a bowling ball. A ball sensor detects the ball at the ball stop and initiates a sweeping motion of a ball rake stored proximate one kickback transversely across the pit surface along the ball stop for urging the ball across the pit surface, including the inclined panel, to an opening within one kickback for delivery to an adjacent ball return assembly. The ball rake employs a groove shaft and pawl for converting rotational movement of the shaft to a linear movement of the ball rake.

Abstract: A bowling ball return gate operates in response to a ball tripping a lever for releasing the gate from its closed position for permitting the ball to be delivered to a center ball return shared by adjacent alleys. The gate operates in combination with an oscillating paddle positioned between kickbacks of the adjacent alleys wherein the paddle is moved from opening to adjacent alley opening of each adjacent kickbacks for alternately receiving a ball through the openings from its respective pit area while clearing any pins within the openings. The paddle moves within a T-tube section which is transverse to a longitudinal tube section housing the gate. The paddle is continuously moved between openings of the adjacent alley kickbacks for clearing pins on a continuous basis. The tripping lever holding the gate in its closed position can only be tripped by a ball entering the T-tube longitudinal section.

Abstract: An automatic bowling pin setting apparatus and method for setting pins in a given pattern on a pin deck comprises detecting standing pins after a first ball has been rolled, clearing the pin deck of all pins, both standing and deadwood, and replacing the standing pins with replacement pins which have been stored in spotting cups above each of the pin setting locations of the pattern. The standing pin detection, pin deck clearing, and replacement of standing pins is made in a single cycle, thus eliminating the traditional standing pin lifting cycle. Spotting deck and rake movement are coordinated using shafts having continuous grooves of varying pitch with sliding members attached to the spotting deck and rake for controlling their coordinated movement with variable speed in a synchronized manner, thus permitting the single cycle for detecting standing pins, clearing the pin deck of all pins, and replacing those pins which were standing.

Abstract: A bowling lane construction and method utilizes either a synthetic substructure layer or synthetic bowling lane panels, or both, which are supported upon a compressible foam layer which dampens noise and vibration and also permits leveling from the upper surface utilizing leveling screws. The compressible foam layer comprises a double-backed adhesive foam tape which is used in lieu of fasteners for joining the construction together.

Abstract: Bowling balls are returned from the pit area of a bowling alley to a return shroud through a vacuum tube into a lift tube. A transporter assembly is contained within the shroud for decelerating the bowling balls. The shroud includes continuous rails for permitting a high volume of bowling ball storage. In order to reduce the area required for spacing between adjacent bowling alleys, the vacuum tube is installed underneath the plane of the alleys, with the bowling balls fed into the vacuum tube via a vertical tube extending upwardly behind the pin-setting equipment located in the pit area.

Abstract: A bowling alley bumper system and method selectively guards against a bowling ball rolling into a gutter. A bungee cord extends along each side edge of a bowling alley lane and in a first position below the lane surface receives bowling balls rolling within a gutter and against the lane edge for protecting the edge of the lane from damage. A lifting mechanism raises the bungee cord to a position above the lane surface for receiving bowling balls rolling on the surface toward the gutter and redirecting the bowling balls towards the center of the lane and away from the gutter. The bungee cord is lifted to its second position by a plurality of elongated rods positioned to move alongside the lane below the gutter surface. A connecting rod raises and lowers the elongated rods through a lever action thereby positioning the bungee cord at its first stored position or its elevated position for guarding the gutter.

Abstract: A bowling lane construction includes synthetic panels having a tab and a notch cut formed along the side surface of each panel and attached to a bowling lane substructure with fasteners. The panels are juxtaposed so that the tab of one panel fits into the notch of an adjacent panel. A clear flexible sheet is attached to the juxtaposed panels with an adhesive. A hardened finishing coat is applied to the sheet to provide a sliding surface. The sheet functions as a barrier layer between the finishing coat and the top surface of the panel so that the bowling lane may be refinished by peeling the sheet from the panel. A foul line joint coupler is provided to connect a wood or synthetic approach panel to a synthetic bowling lane. A compressible insert is used with panel fasteners and ensure that the tops are flush with the top surface of the corresponding panel.

Abstract: A bowling ball is returned from the pit area of the bowling alley to the ball storage rack in the approach area of the alley through a pneumatic transfer apparatus and method. The bowling ball is delivered from the pit area to an elongated tube via an inclined track and sucked into the elongated tube where it is accelerated through the tube located under the alley toward the approach area of the alley. As the bowling ball reaches the approach area it is diverted from its travel in the elongated tube and forced into a lift tube which delivers the bowling ball to a ball storage rack in the approach area located above the alley floor. The bowling ball return apparatus makes use of pneumatic techniques and controls the speed of the bowling ball by regulating the fan rotation of an inline motor and fan assembly. The pneumatic bowling ball return apparatus is modified for use with conventional power lift devices used to carry the bowling ball from the subway below the alley floor to the ball storage rack.

Abstract: A bowling lane construction includes synthetic panels having a tab and a notch cut formed along the side surface of each panel and attached to a bowling lane substructure with fasteners. The panels are juxtaposed so that the tab of one panel fits into the notch of an adjacent panel. A clear flexible sheet is attached to the juxtaposed panels with an adhesive. A hardened finishing coat is applied to the sheet to provide a sliding surface. The sheet functions as a barrier layer between the finishing coat and the top surface of the panel so that the bowling lane may be refinished by peeling the sheet from the panel. A foul line joint coupler is provided to connect a wood or synthetic approach panel to a synthetic bowling lane. A compressible insert is used with panel fasteners and ensure that the tops are flush with the top surface of the corresponding panel.

Abstract: A bowling lane and method for constructing the same. The bowling lane includes a plurality of synthetic panels having a tab and a notch cut formed along the side surface. The synthetic panels are attached to a bowling lane substructure with screws. Flat dowels are placed over the screws to provide a smooth bowling lane surface. Panels are juxtaposed so that the tab of one panel fits into the notch of its adjacent panel. One side of a plastic film is attached to the juxtaposed panels with a contact adhesive. A hardened finishing coat is applied to the other side of the film to provide a sliding surface. The film functions as a barrier layer between the finishing coat and the panels' top surface so that the bowling lane may be refinished by peeling the film from the lane. The film also attaches to the dowels and the lane to prevent the dowels from popping up when the bowling ball rolls down the lane. A foul line coupling is provided to connect a wood approach panel to a synthetic bowling lane.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bowling lane construction which includes a quick-release return track cover and a return track formed of narrow gauge rails and cross-members which permit foreign objects to fall through the track, and which is installed rapidly and inexpensively. The lane construction further includes a gutter formed of a sheet member of semi-circular cross-section, which is fastened along one side to the adjacent bowling lane, and which ends in a flat gutter of a molded, poly-resinous member which may be easily adapted to lane ends of different configurations and dimensions. The lane construction further provides an impact plate in the ball drop zone to avoid "feather" conditions. A division cap formed of plural sections of a metal shell and a mating core extending centrally through the ends of the metal shell. The entire lane construction is supported by a lateral truss construction which extends at least across each lane and the associated gutters.

Abstract: The modules of a modular bowling lane system are fabricated at a manufacturing facility. Each lane module and approach module includes a rectangular deck formed from a plurality of hardwood strips adhesively bonded side to side in a single layer. The upper end of each of a plurality of jack screws is coupled to the lower surface of each lane module while the lower end of each jack screw is coupled to the bowling alley leveling strips. The jack screws permit the lane modules to be leveled and vertically adjusted. Various structural components are provided to couple the modules to adjacent modules and to abutting sections of existing lane structure to thereby anchor the modules and prevent vertical displacements of the modules. Approach fill modules are provided to fill in the gaps between the approach areas of adjacent lanes. Each approach fill module is supported by a plurality of approach fill supports which are coupled to the approach modules of adjacent lanes.

Abstract: The modules of a modular bowling lane system are fabricated at a manufacturing facility. Each lane module includes a rectangular deck formed from a plurality of hardwood strips adhesively bonded side by side in a single layer. A plurality of box channel supports are coupled at intervals to the lower surface of each lane module and extend laterally across the module. One end of a jack screw is coupled to each end of each box channel support while the other end of each jack screw is coupled to the existing bowling alley leveling strips. The jack screws permit the lane modules to be leveled and vertically adjusted. Various structural components are provided to couple the modules to adjacent modules and to abutting sections of existing lane structure to thereby secure the modules and prevent relative vertical displacements. Approach fill modules are provided to fill in the gaps between the approach areas of adjacent lanes.