U.S. patent application number 09/854210 was filed with the patent office on 2001-09-06 for table-mounted bowling scoring unit.
Invention is credited to Atwood, Barry L., Recknagel, Troy A..
Application Number | 20010018882 09/854210 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26987524 |
Filed Date | 2001-09-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010018882 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Recknagel, Troy A. ; et
al. |
September 6, 2001 |
Table-mounted bowling scoring unit
Abstract
A bowling scoring unit is integrally mounted to one end of a
table. In one embodiment, a swivel mount is provided and is coupled
between the table and the scoring unit. In another embodiment, the
table includes a recess or an aperture for integrally receiving and
supporting the scoring unit.
Inventors: |
Recknagel, Troy A.;
(Muskegon, MI) ; Atwood, Barry L.; (Grand Rapids,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PRICE HENEVELD COOPER DEWITT & LITTON
695 KENMOOR, S.E.
P O BOX 2567
GRAND RAPIDS
MI
49501
US
|
Family ID: |
26987524 |
Appl. No.: |
09/854210 |
Filed: |
May 11, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09854210 |
May 11, 2001 |
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09385815 |
Aug 30, 1999 |
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09385815 |
Aug 30, 1999 |
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09330955 |
Jun 11, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
108/50.01 ;
108/150; 108/152 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 2200/0085 20130101;
A47B 21/0314 20130101; A47B 37/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/50.01 ;
108/152; 108/150 |
International
Class: |
A47B 037/00; A47B
013/02 |
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A table and scoring unit assembly, comprising: a table having a
top surface and one end with a recess for receiving a scoring unit;
and a scoring unit integrally mounted at the one end of the table
to extend a fixed distance above the top surface of the table.
2. The assembly of claim 1, further including: a swivel mount
extending between the scoring unit and the one end of the
table.
3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the one end of the table is an
integral extension.
4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the scoring unit includes a
display.
5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the scoring unit includes at
least one of an alpha-numerical keypad, an intercom system and a
monitor with a touch screen for calling up menus, and wherein the
scoring unit is configured to communicate with a central
station.
6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the recess at the one end of
the table includes an aperture formed through the one end which is
supported by a pedestal extending under the aperture, and wherein
the scoring unit extends into the aperture and the scoring unit is
also supported by the pedestal.
7. The assembly of claim 6, further including: a swivel mount
extending between the pedestal and the scoring unit.
8. A table and integral scoring unit, comprising: a table having a
top surface; a scoring unit including a housing; and an attachment
coupling the housing at one end of the table to extend the scoring
unit a fixed distance above the top surface of the table, wherein
the table includes a recess formed in the one end for receiving the
housing therein.
9. The table and integral scoring unit of claim 8, wherein the
attachment includes a swivel mount extending between the housing
and the table.
10. The table and integral scoring unit of claim 8, wherein the
attachment is facilitated by an aperture formed through the table,
and wherein a pedestal is positioned under the aperture for
supporting the housing and the table.
11. The table and integral scoring unit of claim 10, wherein the
attachment includes a swivel mount extending between the housing
and the pedestal.
12. The table and integral scoring unit of claim 8, wherein the one
end of the table is an integral extension.
13. The table and integral scoring unit of claim 8, wherein the
attachment is facilitated by a swivel mount.
14. The table and integral scoring unit of claim 8, wherein the
scoring unit includes at least one of an alpha-numerical keypad, an
intercom system and a monitor with a touch screen for calling up
menus, and wherein the scoring unit is configured to communicate
with a central station.
15. A table-mounted scoring unit, comprising: a table having a top
surface; a scoring unit including a housing; and means for
integrally coupling the housing at one end of the table for
extending the scoring unit a fixed distance above the top surface
of the table, wherein the coupling means is facilitated by a recess
formed in the table at the one end.
16. The table-mounted scoring unit of claim 15, wherein the
coupling means includes a swivel mount extending between the
housing and the table.
17. The table-mounted scoring unit of claim 15, wherein the
coupling means is facilitated by an aperture formed through the
table and a pedestal positioned under the aperture for supporting
the housing and the table.
18. The table-mounted scoring unit of claim 17, further including:
a swivel mount extending between the housing and the pedestal.
19. The table-mounted scoring unit of claim 15, wherein the
coupling means includes a table extension defining the one end of
the table.
20. The table-mounted scoring unit of claim 15, wherein the scoring
unit includes at least one of an alpha-numerical keypad, an
intercom system and a monitor with a touch screen for calling up
menus, and wherein the scoring unit is configured to communicate
with a central station.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/385,815, entitled "TABLE-MOUNTED BOWLING
SCORING UNIT," by Applicants Troy A. Recknagel, filed Aug. 30,
1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 09/330,955, entitled "TABLE-MOUNTED BOWLING SCORING UNIT,"
by Applicants Troy A. Recknagel et al., filed Jun. 11, 1999, the
disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a bowling scoring unit and
a system for integrating the scoring unit to a table.
[0003] Modern bowling lane establishments include scoring systems
which provide a variety of information and interactive
communications between each of the players, a central station and
facilities within the bowling establishment, such as restaurants,
lounges and the like. There are several types of bowling scoring
units in use including pedestal-mounted scoring units which operate
in connection with overhead monitors for the entry of names,
scores, and providing an interface between the player and the
central station or other facilities within the bowling
establishment. Such pedestal-mounted units may include a variety of
features and are typically located immediately adjacent the ball
return for each pair of lanes. Other scoring systems employ a
free-standing monitor and control which eliminates the need for
overhead monitors. Such systems display scores and other
information and, like the pedestal-mounted scoring units, are
mounted in a housing which includes a keyboard, monitor, intercom
system and the like. U.S. Pat. No. 5,719,548 is representative of
such a system which provides individual game information and may or
may not be used with additional overhead displays.
[0004] Although these systems provide the owner of the bowling
establishment with a variety of scoring and monitoring devices for
the convenience of the bowlers and a variety of different priced
systems, they occupy valuable space at the end of each lane which
typically includes a seating area with a table for the convenience
of the players while relaxing, eating and socializing. Typically,
the table and seating areas behind the bowling lanes are compact,
providing tables which will accommodate up to four players in the
immediate vicinity of the lanes, although additional seating and
table spaces are frequently available behind this area. Thus, the
tables in the immediate vicinity of the bowling lanes and which are
employed by the bowlers are relatively small to accommodate only
their immediate needs. The free-standing and pedestal-mounted
scoring units and displays, however, must be navigated around when
moving from the seating area to the bowling lanes and, thus, not
only occupy valuable floor space but also provide somewhat of an
obstacle to the players.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The scoring system of the present invention provides a new
opportunity for owners of the bowling establishment to provide
flexible scoring units which, in one embodiment, do not occupy
valuable table or floor space adjacent bowling lanes but rather
provide a scoring unit and/or monitor/scoring unit with a mounting
system allowing the unit to be mounted adjacent one end of the
table and coupled to the table undersurface. Such a system,
therefore, occupies no table or floor space, thereby freeing the
area for an improved traffic pattern and does not interfere with
the use of the table for other purposes.
[0006] Systems embodying one embodiment of the present invention
comprise a bowling scoring unit having a housing with a generally
L-shaped mounting arm with the end of the arm remote from the
housing for extending under a table top and including a mounting
flange for securing the end of the arm to the undersurface of the
table. Preferably, the housing is mounted to the arm to allow its
rotation for viewing at different angles and to provide convenient
access by players sitting adjacent the edge of the table from which
the scoring unit extends. In another embodiment of the invention,
an adapter bracket is provided for coupling to the pedestal mount
of a table itself with an extension coupled to receive the flange
of the mounting arm.
[0007] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the scoring unit
is integrated into the table itself either by mounting the scoring
unit within a recess in the table or to an extension of the table
end or through a table on a pedestal. In these embodiments, the
scoring unit is also conveniently located for use by the players
seated at the table.
[0008] The scoring unit may include alpha-numerical keypads and an
intercom system and/or may be of the type which includes a monitor
with a touch screen for calling up different menus. Such units
allow the player to interact with the central station and/or other
facilities of the establishment.
[0009] These and other features, objects and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent upon reading the following
description thereof together with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is an exploded fragmentary perspective view showing a
pair of different types of bowling scoring units which can employ
the mounting system of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the scoring
units shown in FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the control panel section of
the scoring unit shown in FIG. 2;
[0013] FIG. 4 is an enlarged front elevational view of the other
scoring unit shown in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a right-side elevational view of a housing which
can be employed for either of the scoring units shown in FIG.
1;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the mounting arm and an adapter
bracket seen also in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the structure shown in
FIG. 6;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
the invention, showing a scoring unit within a table;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of
the invention, showing a scoring unit integrated within a
table;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of
the invention, showing a scoring unit and mounting pedestal
extending through a table; and
[0020] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the scoring unit shown in
FIG. 10, with the monitor pivoted to be viewed from a different
angle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] Referring initially to FIG. 1, there is shown a first
bowling scoring unit 10 and an alternative bowling scoring unit 15
with scoring unit 15 including a monitor and touch screen. Both
bowling scoring units provide alpha-numeric keyboards, intercoms
and control switches or keys which allow the player to select a
variety of features such as different game options as well as
communicate with both a central station or other facilities within
the establishment, enter names, enter and view scores and the
like.
[0022] Common to both of scoring units 10 and 15 is a housing
having a front wall 12 and a rear wall 14, each integrally molded
of a suitable polymeric material and snap-fitted or otherwise
fastened together for housing the electrical components. The rear
housing 14 includes, as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 5, a tangentially
extending extension 16 having an open cylindrical socket 18 at the
bottom thereof for receiving one end 21 of a generally L-shaped
mounting arm 20. Arm 20 has a horizontally extending section 22
with a horizontally extending mounting plate or flange 24 attached
to the upper side thereof for attachment to the under surface 42 of
a table 40. Table 40 can be a pedestal-type table which is mounted
to the floor by a pedestal 44, as described in greater detail
below, and can be generally of the shape of the tables shown in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,618,238.
[0023] The section 26 of arm 20 proximate the scoring unit 10 or 15
extends vertically from the horizontally extending section 22 and
is integrally joined thereto by a 90.degree. elbow 25 with end 21
of arm 20 being positioned above the upper surface 41 of table 40 a
distance such that the lower edge 11 of either of the scoring units
10 or 15 are above the top surface 41 of table 40 a distance for
conveniently positioning the scoring unit for access by someone
with their forearms supported on the table top. Arm section 26
includes an arcuate slot 27 into which a keeper pin (not shown)
extends from the tangentially extending collar 16 of either of the
scoring units 10 or 15 to permit limited arcuate motion of either
of the scoring units around the longitudinal axis of the vertically
extending section 26 of arm 20 in a direction indicated by arrow A
in FIG. 1 such that the monitor can be rotated from side to side
for viewing by players sitting on either side of the table.
[0024] Mounting plate 24 includes a plurality of apertures 31
therein (FIG. 6) for securing arm 20 in a cantilevered fashion with
the distal end 28 remote from end 21 located under the table and
positioned such that the vertically extending section 26 of arm 20
clears the edge 43 of table 40. Thus, arm 20 mounts to table 40 in
a cantilevered fashion to support a scoring unit 10 or 15 adjacent
an edge of the table and above the top surface of the table such
that the top surface remains free for other use, as does the floor
space below and around the table.
[0025] Arm 20 is a hollow cylindrical metal tube with a suitable
exterior finish. The tube-like structure allows an electrical
conductor 29 to extend therethrough and be coupled to the scoring
unit 10 or 15 and extended to couple to the central station of the
establishment for communicating between the central station, the
pin setting system and other facilities within the establishment.
Before describing a preferred embodiment of the invention which
incorporates an intermediate adaptive mounting bracket 50, as shown
in FIGS. 1, 6 and 7, a more detailed description of the scoring
units 10 and 15 briefly follow.
[0026] Scoring unit 10 is seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 and comprises a
generally rectangular housing with the front wall 12 including a
speaker 30 mounted to the lower edge thereof and a microphone 32
mounted to the upper edge. Above the speaker there is mounted a
numerical entry keypad 34 in the configuration of the bowling pin
set up and above the numerical entry keypad 34 is an alpha keypad
36 in a conventional arrangement for the entry of names or other
information by the players. A strike/spare key 35 and other
conventional keys are positioned below the alpha keyboard 36. Above
the keyboard are a plurality of entry keys 38 for the entry of
select items such as game type, communications with the central
control, communications with an eating facility within the
establishment and the like. The layout of the control keys for the
scoring unit 10 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 3.
[0027] The alternate scoring unit 15 is shown in FIG. 4 and also
includes a speaker 30 on the lower end of front wall 12 and a
microphone 32 along the upper edge of the wall. The central area of
scorer 15 comprises a touch screen monitor 37 which, as seen in
FIG. 4, includes a bowling score sheet when displaying the bowling
scores and, upon activation of the touch screen, different menus
are displayed for entry of bowlers names, communications with the
central control, ordering of food and drink, and the like in a
conventional manner, such as the system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
5,719,548. With scoring unit 10, an overhead monitor is mounted
within the establishment remote from table 40, while scoring unit
15 is designed to be used with or without such monitors. With both
systems, a bowling scoring unit is provided with a coupling, such
as arm 20, which positions the scoring unit adjacent an edge 43 of
the table 40 above the top surface 41 of the table in a convenient
location for use by the players without occupying either the top
surface of the table or floor space. In a preferred embodiment of
the invention, the mounting arm 20 is integrated to the
table-mounting pedestal 44 by an adaptive bracket 50 now
described.
[0028] Bracket 50 includes a generally horizontally extending
mounting plate 52 having a central opening 54 therein and lips 56
extending downwardly from three edges thereof which overlie a
horizontally extending mounting flange 45 secured to pedestal 44
for conventionally mounting the table 40 to the floor of the
facility. Thus, the shape of mounting plate 52 associated with
adaptive bracket 50 is such that it overlies and extends between
the pedestal mounting flange 45 and the lower surface 42 of table
40 with mounting apertures 55 aligned with apertures 46 of flange
45 such that fastening screws 47 can extend through flange 45
associated with the table pedestal 44 and mounting plate 52
associated with adaptive bracket 50. Integrally extending and
formed with plate 52 is a semi-cylindrical end collar 58 defining
an open upper trough 59 (FIG. 6) for telescopically receiving
cylindrical section 22 of mounting arm 20. The mounting plate 24 of
arm 20 overlies horizontally extending flanges 60, 62 (FIG. 6)
integrally formed with and extending from the opposite sides of
collar 58. The horizontally extending mounting plate 24 of arm 20
may include downwardly extending lips 23 (FIG. 7) to stabilize the
interconnection of arm 20 onto collar 58 and flanges 60, 62.
Flanges 60, 62 include apertures 61 which align with apertures 31
in plate 24 and permit the arm 20 to be mounted at various
locations along the longitudinal length of extension 58 or overlie
the extension depending upon the size of the table. Conductor 29
extends through the central opening 54 of mounting plate 52 and
downwardly through the open cylindrical tubular pedestal 44 to the
central control station for inter-coupling either scoring unit 10
or 15 to the central control. By providing the adaptive bracket 50,
arm 20 can be adjustably mounted and provide a more secure
inter-coupling of the arm to the lower surface of the table.
Although this feature is a preferred structure for pedestal-type
tables, arm 20 as described above can be used independently of such
an adaptive bracket.
[0029] Thus, as seen with the first embodiment of the present
invention, a scoring unit is provided which occupies no table
space, no floor space, and provides a scoring unit which can have
flexible features depending upon the establishment design to
provide players with a conveniently located, readily accessible
scoring unit for communications with the central control and other
facilities within the establishment.
[0030] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, a table 70 is provided
and mounted to the floor of the establishment by a central
elongated pedestal 72 to which there are attached four cantilevered
pivot seats 74 on opposite sides of the elongated table which also
provides space for a free standing chair or stool 76 at one end.
Integrally mounted to table 70 at an end opposite chair 76 is a
scoring unit 80 in a housing 85 which can be mounted within a
recess 73 near end 71 of table 70. The scoring unit 80 may be
integrally mounted to the table top 75 with a conventional swivel
mount mechanism 77 (shown schematically in FIG. 8) which includes a
plate secured to the bottom of the recess 73 and a plate secured to
the lower surface of the scoring unit 80 with bearings between the
plates allowing the scoring unit to swivel from side-to-side. With
such construction, the lower surface 81 of the scoring unit extends
above the top surface 75 of table 70 with the swivel mount being
extended within the recess 73 shaped to receive the swivel mount.
In other embodiments, the scoring unit 80 is fixedly mounted within
the recess 73 shaped to conform to the lower surface (i.e., base)
81 of the scoring unit.
[0031] Scoring unit 80 can take on any desired form and the scoring
unit 80 shown in FIG. 8 is a CRT-type display with data entry
keypads 83 on opposite sides, although the flat screen LCD
displays, such as scoring units 10 and 15 in the first embodiments,
can also be mounted to the end 71 of table 70 utilizing a
relatively compact smaller recess 73 for either the base of the
scoring unit or for a swivel mount 77 for the scoring unit. Such
displays may integrally include a touch screen keypad in place of
keypads 83.
[0032] FIG. 9 illustrates yet a further embodiment of the invention
in which a table 90 is shown, again having a pedestal base 92 to
which cantilevered pivot chairs 94 are mounted. An additional chair
96 can be positioned at a rounded end 98 of the table, which has an
opposite end 91 extended at 93, which extension is shaped for
receiving and supporting the housing 105 of a scoring unit 100. The
extension 93 of table 90 provides an asymmetrical table top with a
larger surface area 95 for the table for use by players in the
seats 94, and allows the use of a CRT-type scoring unit 100 to be
mounted in the extension 93. Table 90 may include a recess 97 for
receiving the scoring unit 100 either in fixed relationship for
integrating the scoring unit to table 90 or for receiving a
conventional swivel mount base 77 for the scoring unit such that
the scoring unit can be rotated from side-to-side on the table for
use of the scoring unit by players on opposite sides of the table.
In either of the embodiments of FIGS. 8 and 9, the scoring unit is
integrally mounted to the table so as to not be removable. The
scoring unit can be securely fixed either within a recess in the
table top, through a swivel mount to the table top, or by other
structure which integrates the table and scoring unit such that
they appear as a single structure.
[0033] FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate still a further embodiment of the
invention in which a table 110 is provided and includes a scoring
unit 120 in a housing 121 which includes a CRT-type monitor 130
which extends through a circular aperture 112 through the top
surface 111 of table 110 and is supported on a generally
cylindrical base 124 supporting the scoring unit 120 including the
associated monitor. Scoring unit 120 includes a keyboard 122 in
this embodiment, although it can use a touch-screen type scoring
unit as shown in the earlier embodiments. Base 123 of scoring unit
120 is a swivel mount to allow the scoring unit to be rotated
around a vertical axis, as seen in FIG. 10. Table 110 is supported
on the floor partially by the support column 124 for scoring unit
120 which includes an outer, top annular surface 125 coupled to the
lower surface 115 of the table and a center core to which the
scoring unit 120 is swivel-mounted by base 123 to allow the scoring
unit 120 to be swiveled from side-to-side or reversed, as
illustrated in FIG. 11. Table 110 has further support through arms
116 extending to a pedestal base 117 for chairs 104 mounted on
opposite sides of the table 110.
[0034] As in all the embodiments, the electrical communications and
power for the scoring units shown can extend either through the
pedestal mounts for the tables shown or, in the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 10 and 11, through the cylindrical base 124 to provide
operating power and communications between the scoring unit and the
central control for the establishment. The scoring units 80, 100,
and 120 may be CRT-type displays, flat screen displays and may
include separate keyboards or key-touch screens as desired. They
are, however, integrated into the table surface so as to form an
integral unit either by providing a mounting recess for the scoring
unit, a swivel-mount base attached to the table and scoring unit,
or a recess through which a mounting pedestal for the table and
scoring unit is provided.
[0035] It will become apparent to those skilled in the art that
various modifications to the preferred embodiments of the invention
as described herein can be made without departing from the spirit
or scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *