Search Patents
  • Bowling pin re-manufacturing process
    Publication number: 20070175012
    Abstract: A bowling pin refurbishing process is disclosed. The bowling pin refurbishing process comprises the following steps. First, providing a plurality of bowling pins. Each of the plurality of bowling pins having an outer surface and a base portion. Each of the plurality of bowling pins also comprising an existing post and an existing coverstock. The existing coverstock covering at least a substantial portion of the outer surface of each of the plurality of bowling pins. Second, selecting at least one bowling pin from the plurality of bowling pins. The selection process is based on a predetermined amount of wear on the bowling pin. Third, stripping the existing coverstock from the bowling pin. Finally, applying a new coverstock over at least a substantial portion of the outer surface of the bowling pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Applicant: Brunswick Bowling & Billiards Corp.
    Inventor: Chris Kazanas
  • Robotic device and method for setting up at least one bowling pin
    Patent number: 11266902
    Abstract: An appliance for setting up at least one bowling pin. The appliance includes an object recognition device for detecting the bowling pin and an orientation of the bowling pin, wherein the orientation of the bowling pin encompasses a vertical orientation and a horizontal orientation of the bowling pin, at least one robot arm which is designed for gripping and holding the bowling pin and for setting up the bowling pin onto a predefined desired position and a control unit which is designed to evaluate data of the object recognition device and to activate the robot arm in dependence on the predefined desired position of the bowling pin and/or on the detected orientation of the bowling pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: PIN MARKETING SL
    Inventor: Sven Hohnecker
  • DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SETTING UP AT LEAST ONE BOWLING PIN
    Publication number: 20200254328
    Abstract: An appliance for setting up at least one bowling pin. The appliance includes an object recognition device for detecting the bowling pin and an orientation of the bowling pin, wherein the orientation of the bowling pin encompasses a vertical orientation and a horizontal orientation of the bowling pin, at least one robot arm which is designed for gripping and holding the bowling pin and for setting up the bowling pin onto a predefined desired position and a control unit which is designed to evaluate data of the object recognition device and to activate the robot arm in dependence on the predefined desired position of the bowling pin and/or on the detected orientation of the bowling pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: PIN MARKETING SL
    Inventor: Sven HOHNECKER
  • Solid state bowling pin counter and method therefor
    Patent number: 5679079
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Inventors: Kennith D. Crosby, William J. Tuten
  • Apparatus for combined game of bowling and billiards
    Patent number: 7090587
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Inventor: Jeong Ho Kim
  • Apparatus for combined game of bowling and billiards
    Publication number: 20030220147
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventor: Jeong Ho Kim
  • Toy bowling game
    Patent number: 3947028
    Abstract: A children's bowling game comprising a frame having a bowling alley included therewith, and which is slightly inclined downwardly from a ball propelling end toward an end remote therefrom. The remote end carries a plurality of upstanding elements which have the silhouette of bowling pins, and which are located in the arrangement of normal bowling pins. These elements, however, are relatively flat members. A recess is located immediately behind each of the bowling pins which are hingedly mounted with respect to the bowling alley, so that the bowling pins will be shifted from a first upstanding position to a second flat position where they are located in the recesses when contacted by the bowling ball. In this way, the upper surface of the bowling pins are flush with the surface of the bowling alley when in a second position. An actuating means is also associated with the frame in order to shift the pins to the upright or first position by means of a manually operable lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1976
    Inventors: Adolph E. Goldfarb, Erwin Benkoe
  • Simulated bowling game
    Patent number: 4265449
    Abstract: A simulated bowling game wherein a reflected image of fixed illuminated ten pin shaped lamps is provided. A plurality of fixed illuminated bowling pin lamps are disposed in a ten pin pattern and are each normally illuminated to produce an image representative of a bowling pin. A semi-reflective surface is positioned at an incline with respect to a bowling alley, and is further positioned in facing relationship with respect to the plurality of illuminated bowling pin lamps so that the semi-reflective surface produces an image of each of the illuminated bowling pin lamps at the other end of the bowling alley. A plurality of contacts are positioned in a predetermined pattern at a rear end of the bowling alley and are adapted to produce contact signals when contacted by the bowling ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1981
    Assignee: Louis Marx & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence L. Reiner, Michael Marra, Michael F. Hennig
  • Manually operated bowling apparatus
    Patent number: 5575718
    Abstract: A manually operated bowling apparatus is provided for use with a bowling lane and a bowling ball and includes a support assembly which includes leg members which straddle an end portion of the bowling lane assembly. The apparatus also includes an overhead support member supported by the leg members. A tether guide plate is supported by the support assembly at a position between the overhead support member and the bowling lane. The tether guide plate includes ten pin-tether guide apertures arrayed in a triangular pin-set arrangement. A pin guide assembly includes a pin-guide plate suspended by a plurality of flexible support cables from a first winch assembly supported by the overhead support member. The pin-guide plate includes ten pin-guide apertures arrayed in a triangular pin-set arrangement. The pin-tether guide apertures and the pin-guide apertures are in registration with each other. A set of ten bowling pin assemblies are connected to a second winch assembly supported by the overhead support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Inventor: Nathaniel Simmons
  • Bowling center system
    Patent number: 6580954
    Abstract: A system adapted for use in permitting a bowling game between bowlers at remotely located bowling centers includes pin fall sensors at each bowling center for sensing pin falls caused by balls bowled to knock down pins. Communication circuitry at each bowling center is configured to send locally generated scoring data based on the pin falls to a remotely located bowling center and to receive remotely generated scoring data from the remotely located bowling center. Display devices at each bowling center display the locally generated scoring data and the remotely generated scoring data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Inventor: Michael J. Shea
  • Bowling center system
    Patent number: 6430453
    Abstract: A system adapted for use in permitting a bowling game between bowlers at remotely located bowling centers includes pin fall sensors at each bowling center for sensing pin falls caused by balls bowled to knock down pins. Communication circuitry at each bowling center is configured to send locally generated scoring data based on the pin falls to a remotely located bowling center and to receive remotely generated scoring data from the remotely located bowling center. Display devices at each bowling center display the locally generated scoring data and the remotely generated scoring data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventor: Michael J. Shea
  • No-slide pin spot
    Patent number: 7704152
    Abstract: An easily installed frictional bowling pin spot and a method of installing frictional pin spots on the pin deck of a bowling lane are disclosed. The preferred frictional pin spot is preferably a thin, circular polyurethane piece having a high coefficient of friction and packed with a pressure-sensitive adhesive. The pin spot increases the friction between a bowling pin and the pin deck thereby decreasing the likelihood of bowling pins hit by a ball or other pin sliding out of position instead of being knocked over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Pinsetter Parts Plus, LLC
    Inventor: Scott J. Thorson
  • Spring launched pop-up pin bowling game
    Patent number: 5135221
    Abstract: A tabletop bowling game including a small scale replica of a bowling alley. A platform is mounted above the replica of the bowling alley at one end thereof. Ten upstanding posts are formed on the platform with the posts arranged in seven columns extending lengthwise of the bowling alley to provide a pattern of posts similar to the pattern of pins on a bowling alley. Each post receives and supports a small scale replica of a bowling pin. Each small scale replica of a bowling pin has a spring which is compressed by its post and which biases the bowling pin in a direction upwardly off the post. A releasable hook mechanism is provided for holding each bowling pin replica on its post against the bias of the spring. Targets extend downwardly from the platform and terminate slightly above the bowling alley with each target aligned with a single column of posts. Slides connect the targets and the hooks to release one of the hooks from its bowling pin replica upon movement of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Gordon Barlow Design
    Inventor: Gordon A. Barlow
  • Radio frequency identification (RFID) pin detection system
    Publication number: 20050272511
    Abstract: An RFID pin detection system includes bowling pins incorporating RFID tags and a pin deck incorporating reader antennas located in positions corresponding to the placement of the bowling pins. A controller energizes the reader antennas to activate RFID tags in those bowling pins that are in the pin-up position. The pin-up information is used in automatic scoring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Publication date: December 8, 2005
    Inventors: Roland Bouchard, Brent Bouws, Kurt Dykema, Warren Guthrie
  • Radio frequency identification (RFID) pin detection system
    Patent number: 7030736
    Abstract: An RFID pin detection system includes bowling pins incorporating RFID tags and a pin deck incorporating reader antennas located in positions corresponding to the placement of the bowling pins. A controller energizes the reader antennas to activate RFID tags in those bowling pins that are in the pin-up position. The pin-up information is used in automatic scoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Brunswick Bowling & Billiards Corporation
    Inventors: Roland C. Bouchard, Brent K. Bouws, Kurt A. Dykema, Warren E. Guthrie
  • Automatic pinsetter
    Patent number: 5624323
    Abstract: An automatic pinsetter employing magnetically responsive bowling pins, an elevator mechanism for retrieving bowling pins from a pit area adjacent an end portion of a bowling alley and for transporting the same to a pin discharge station above a transfer mechanism. The pins are arranged in bowling array on a transfer mechanism which is thereafter moved horizontally beneath a pinsetting mechanism. The pinsetting mechanism employs magnetic means for elevating the pins, the transfer mechanism is retracted from beneath the pinsetting mechanism, and the latter thereupon deposits the pins on the bowling alley in bowling array. The pinsetting mechanism is also adapted to pick-up and replace remaining upright pins after a first ball has been thrown whether the pins reside in "on spot" or "off spot" positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Mendes Inc.
    Inventors: Francois Delaney, Viateur Guay, Carol Simard, Jean-Yves Dion, Lucien Rochefort
  • Method for marking bowling pins
    Publication number: 20020056947
    Abstract: In a method for visually marking bowling pins, a plastic material is blow-molded to form a bowling pin mantle. At least one laser beam is impinged onto the bowling pin mantle and guided in a pattern to create a desired marking by either activating pigments under the mantle skin or making the base color of the bowling pin mantle lighter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventor: Arnold Jager
  • Molded distributor receiver and pin storage magazine
    Patent number: 5439418
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: AMF Bowling, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael W. Stephens
  • Automatic pinsetter with baffle at elevator entrance
    Patent number: 5569092
    Abstract: In an automatic pinsetter having an elevator mechanism for receiving bowling pins seriatim at a lower entrance portion from a pit area at a rear end of a bowling alley and for transporting the same upwardly for discharge at an upper end portion, a frutso-concial baffle is provided and is suspension mounted forwardly of the elevator mechanism and above a rearwardly moving conveyor. Fallen bowling pins in indiscriminate arrangement proceed rearwardly on the conveyor beneath a bridge which obstructs rearward ball movement and passes prone bowling pins only. Left and right hand guides cooperate with the baffle to define left and right hand entry passageways for the bowling pins in rearward movement to the entrance of the elevator mechanism. The passageways are insufficient in width to accommodate the side-ways passage of bowling pins. The baffle is also free to move in any direction over a limited degree of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Mendes Inc.
    Inventor: Lucien Rochefort
  • Automatic pinsetter
    Patent number: 5820474
    Abstract: An automatic pinsetter employing magnetically responsive bowling pins, an elevator mechanism for retrieving bowling pins from a pit area adjacent an end portion of a bowling alley and for transporting the same to a pin discharge station above a transfer mechanism. The pins are arranged in bowling array on a transfer mechanism which is thereafter moved horizontally beneath a pinsetting mechanism. The pinsetting mechanism employs magnetic means for elevating the pins, the transfer mechanism is retracted from beneath the pinsetting mechanism, and the latter thereupon deposits the pins on the bowling alley in bowling array. The pinsetting mechanism is also adapted to pick-up and replace remaining upright pins after a first ball has been thrown whether the pins reside in "on spot" or "off spot" positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Mendes Inc.
    Inventors: Francois Delaney, Viateur Guay, Carol Simard, Jean-Yves Dion, Lucien Rochefort
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