Abstract: A bowling lane with a mural image is disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of bowling lane panels are provided, wherein each bowling lane panel depicts a different portion of a mural image. The plurality of bowling lane panels are assembled and secured onto a surface such that the assembly of the plurality of bowling lane panels forms the mural image. In another embodiment, a bowling center is provided with at least two bowling lanes. Each bowling lane depicts a mural image, and the mural images on the various bowling lanes form a composite multi-lane mural image.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for a billiard bowling game. The apparatus includes a bowling pin distributing section and a bowling ball returning section. The bowling pin distributing section is constructed such that, while bowling pin distributing means is driven by driving means, respective bowling pins transferred from bowling pin collecting means are sequentially set in bowling pin setting holes defined in a bowling pin setting plate. The bowling ball returning section is constructed such that the bowling ball rolling on a sloped plate which is fastened to a fixed plate of a base section is raised between a curved inner edge of a bowling ball-guiding curved plate and a bowling ball-driving wheel fitted around a driving shaft and between inner surfaces of a pair of side plates, so as to be placed at an entrance to bowling ball returning rails.

Abstract: A novel critical supplementary apparatus, when used in conjuction with U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,673, collectively completes the sphere of practical operation of a convexo-concave bowling ball retrieving device that captures, guides, lifts and deposits in one smooth continuous flowing motion a bowling ball for subsequent discharge into a bowling ball return. U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,673 addresses the inherent lack of friction problems found in Brunswick automatic pinsetter bowling machines, models A and A2 but is unable to comply with a similar problematic lack of friction situation found in the remainder of Brunswick product line—models Factory A2 and the Jetback. The models Factory A2 and Jetback don't have adaquite clearance between the bowling ball retrieving device 1 that is mounted on the rotating ball return wheel 6 (as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,673) and the 1 HP motor mount shaft 19.

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: A horizontal ball return mechanism for propelling a bowling ball from one end of a bowling alley to the other includes a generally horizontal track with compression and decompression sections and a generally flat horizontal section therebetween. Two pulleys and an endless belt move a bowling ball along the track. The compression, decompression and a flat horizontal section lift a bowling ball upwardly against the belt, maintain the belt under compression as the ball moves along the generally flat section and lowers the ball before it passes under a second of the pulleys.

Abstract: A bowling alley return mechanism includes a horizontal ball return disposed between two adjacent lanes, a pair of side walls which define a chamber and a ball door or opening in one of the side walls. A generally crescent-shaped concave pivotally mounted cradle is disposed within the chamber and adjacent to the opening for receiving a bowling ball thereon. The mechanism also includes an optical sensor which is responsive to a portion of the bowling ball when the bowling ball is on the cradle. A bell crank and linkage rotates the cradle in response to a signal from the sensor. The mechanism also includes an exit door and a releasable locking assembly of the pin and groove type which prevents any flying pins from passing through the exit door. The locking assembly is responsive to an upper portion of a bowling ball when the ball is moved by the cradle to unlock the exit door and allow the ball to pass therethrough and into the horizontal ball return for propulsion to the opposite end of the alley.

Abstract: A bowling alley ball return and storage rack includes an infeed track and a pair of parallel generally horizontal storage racks disposed on opposite sides of the infeed track. An S-shaped member acts as a stop for directing a first bowling ball to a first of the storage racks and for positioning the ball therein so that a subsequently returned ball will be deflected by the first ball into the opposite storage rack. The ball return and storage rack includes an infeed track which is generally parallel to and forms a part of the storage racks. This infeed track has a slight downward slope of about 1.degree. from horizontal to bring the bowling balls toward the opposite end thereof. The storage racks also include inner and outer rails, i.e., metallic tubular members which are covered with a nylon 6 coating.

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: An ultimate bowling simulator is provided which consists of a miniature bowling alley, with a pit unit located behind the alley. A structure is for elevating the alley in an upwardly tilted rearward gravity feed position with respect to the pit unit. Ten small pins are set up in a triangular rack formation directly in front of the pit unit. A plurality of small bowling balls are provided, so that each can be rolled down the alley to knock down the pins. A ball return extends from one side of the it unit. A component within the pit unit is for separating the pins from the bowling balls, so that the bowling balls can go into the ball return, while the pins will stay in the pit unit.