Abstract: A bowling system comprises a pinspotter system including at least a sweep assembly and a braking system coupled thereto which provides a brake for the sweep assembly. The system further includes a plurality of sensors which sense parameters associated with the pinspotter system and the braking system. A centralized control system centralizes operational processes of the pinspotter system by receiving at least one input based on the sensed parameters from at least one of plurality of sensors and, in response to the at least one the input, produces at least one output signal to control operations of the pinspotter system.

Abstract: A bowling alley is provided with a photoelectric pinfall detection system which includes a pinfall detection device by means of which it can be recognized whether or not a fallen pin is lying in the end region of the bowling lane or in one of the gutters. The pinfall detection device comprises a light sensitive sensor array which detects any radiation reflected by a pin lying in the end region of the bowling lane. For this purpose, the lower foot portion of each pin may be provided with a black ring. Thus, the reflection characteristics of the pin change in dependence whether the pin is standing upright or has fallen, because in the first case the weak reflection of the black ring is detected by the pinfall detection apparatus, while in the second case the strong reflection of the white central portion of the pin is detected.

Abstract: Bowling lanes are equipped typically with first monitoring devices serving to verify the position of the pins and second monitoring devices designed to detect the passage of the balls, also a first control station connected both to the first and second monitoring devices and to the actuator of a machine for recovering and setting up the pins, in such a way that the game can be run and supervised according to a selected program and on the basis of the information received in signals returned by the two sets of monitoring devices; in the equipment disclosed, the first and second monitoring devices are incorporated into a single assembly together with a second control station interfaced with the program and connected to a communications network of which the first control station forms a part.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid state bowling pin counter which is designed to replace existing mechanical pin counters. The solid state pin counter uses infrared technology and electro-optics to reliably detect the presence of a bowling pin as the pin travels towards the bowling pin table via the distributor assembly. The solid state pin counter can detect all colors of bowling pins and it works reliably in all ambient light conditions including flashing lights. If power is turned off during the time bowling pins are being fed into the bowling pin table, the memory in the pin counter remembers the pin counter's condition no matter where the bowling pin is on the distributor belt. Thus, when power is turned back on, the bowling pin table is filled with bowling pins as if the power was never turned off.

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 combination bowling pinspotter and pinspotter control chassis system is disclosed which provides a bowling pinspotter having circuitry for permitting the spotting of bowling pins and an all solid state pinspotter control chassis coupled to the pinspotter for controlling the operation of the pinspotter. The all solid state pinspotter controller provides circuitry for executing a short strike cycles. In addition, the pinspotter controller secures power to a back end motor of the pinspotter in order to conserve the energy consumed by the back end motor. The pinspotter controller provides circuitry coupled to a remote control console for permitting the pinspotter to complete a current cycle prior to executing a shut down command for the pinspotter from the remote control console. In addition, the all solid state pinspotter controller retains status and position data for the pinspotter during power interrupts.