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: An electromechanical pin setter including a hydraulic drive component. The present invention includes a deck assembly holds pins in deck chutes and reciprocates vertically to spot and re-spot pins on a pin setting location on a bowling lane, a rake mechanism removes pins from the bowling lane, a pit conveyor moves pins and a bowling ball toward a pin elevator, the pin elevator in a pit area lifts pins to a cross conveyor, the cross conveyor delivers pins to a turret, the turret distributes pins to the deck chutes, and a ball elevator to lift the bowling ball to a ball return track. A hydraulic drive component having at least one of a fluid motor and a fluid drive cylinder controls an operation of at least one of the deck assembly, the rake mechanism, the pit conveyor, the pin elevator, the cross conveyor, the turret, and the ball elevator.

Abstract: A gripper kit for a vertical-type bowling ball lift and return mechanism that is suited for the lifting and handling of bowling balls covered with various amounts and types of oil. The kit comprises a combination of an endless belt, a tension bracket, a pair of track rail covers, and tapered and specially designed thimbles to guide and facilitate delivery of the ball into the channel between the endless belt and the outer surface of the track rails. The thimbles are tapered so as to ensure consistent and smooth entry of the bowling ball into the conveying belt area. During operation the bowling ball is conveyed along the channel with minimal slippage irrespective of the amount of oil that accumulates on the bowling ball.

Abstract: A covered rail assembly for the bowling ball return of a bowling alley. The rails are made of cylindrical metal and the cover for the rail fits over the engaging surface thereof and is secured thereto by ties, with the ball engaging surface of the cover of concave semi cylindrical shape so as to conform to a ball's surface contacted thereby. The cover is impregnated with oil absorbing particles.

Abstract: A conveyer for delivering a column of balls to an elevated location has a rotating wheel formed of resilient material. A track has a pair of curvilinear rails which extend along a portion of the circumferential surface of the wheel and which are spaced apart by distance that is smaller than the diameter of the balls. Balls are sequentially fed onto a first portion of the track at which the rails are spaced from the wheel by a distance which causes the balls to be pressed against the wheel. The edges become closer to the wheel at a second portion of the track causing increased clamping pressure against the balls at that portion of the track. A ball delivery tube extends upward from the outlet end of the track. The increased clamping pressure against balls which are momentarily below the base of the upwardly extending column of balls enables elevation of a column of balls to a greater height.

Abstract: A portion of an AMF ball return system is disclosed wherein the ball lift belt is shown with two humps thereon, and when the belt is rotated, a bowling ball is compressed between a hump on the belt and the adjoining lift rail. A ball placed thereon rolls up the lift ramp and down the engaging hump while moving the ball.

Abstract: The ball lift device includes an improved track structure for stabilizing a bowling ball along a path of travel or guide path as it is lifted within the device. The device includes a means for lifting the ball by use of a pair of rotating V wheels and a drive means which rotates the V wheels through a drive belt which is driven by a motor. The V wheels are housed within a frame which has an entrance point for receiving the bowling ball to be lifted, and an exit point which ejects the bowling ball at a specified height. A guide support or single track structure defines the path of travel in which the ball is lifted through the device. The guide support includes a guide support bracket and a wear strip mounted over the bracket. A pair of side wear strips extend along the path of travel and are positioned so as to laterally stabilize the bowling ball as it is lifted along the guide support.

Abstract: A mechanism for air-assisted rudder operation that supplements current rudder assemblies involved in returning bowling balls to the bowler. An electric motor rotating a cam activates and deactivates an air switch which in turn operates an air cylinder causing the rudder of a bowling machine to oscillate. The oscillation prevents bowling pins from entering the ball lift area.

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: 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 mechanism for air assisted ball-lift that supplements current ball elevator mechanisms used to return bowling balls to the bowler. When the bowling ball is gravity fed onto the top pad, the trigger is depressed causing the mechanism to raise. The bowling ball is moved vertically by the use of an air cylinder in order to positively engage the ball elevator mechanism.

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.