Abstract: A pin setter applied to a bowling game machine in which a player rolling a ball toward a plurality of pins arranged in a standing manner on a lane thereby to knock down the plurality of pins. The pin setter that arranges the pins at predetermined positions includes a pin lifter that lifts the pin in a standing state up to the lane, a pin guide that keeps the pin lifted on the lane from falling down, and an evacuation mechanism that evacuates the pin guide from the lane.

Abstract: A bowling pin storage bin assembly for use as part of a bowling pin delivery system of a pinspotter apparatus, as well as a method of manufacturing such bin. The storage bin is molded as a one-piece article having a plurality of cavities or pockets for storing bowling pins in an essentially horizontal plane above a pin spotter and for delivering the pins to a plurality of pin cups or a pin spotter for spotting on a pin deck.

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 distribution indexing device (50, 60) is attachable to bowling pin-setting machines and replaces certain mechanical components within the distributing mechanism (10) that are prone to wear and require constant maintenance. The device (50, 60) includes a drive structure (50) and an electrical contact structure (60). The drive structure (50) is attachable to the distributing mechanism (10) such that a drive gear (54) engages an indexing gear (42). The contact structure (60) includes two contacts (64, 66), one (64) that is attachable to a stationary component (15) of the distributing mechanism (10) and one (66) that is attachable to a moving component (26) of the distributing mechanism (10). As a bowling pin (P) is lowered into a pin magazine (4) by trip arms (22), the arms (22) cause the movable contact (66) to engage the stationary contact (64), thus generating an electrical signal to the drive structure (50).

Abstract: A bowling pin storage device includes a one piece three dimensional molded magazine or bin having a plurality of elongated pockets for storing bowling pins in an essentially horizontal plane above a pin spotter. Each of the elongated cavities define a bowling pin shaped opening in the bottom thereof and include a shoulder portion for supporting the head of a bowling pin. The device also includes a plurality of movable wing like support elements for supporting the base or lower portion of bowling pins. The support elements hold or retain the pins within the storage bin when in a first position and when in a second position release the pins to fall downwardly to a pin spotting device.