Bowling game

Abstract

A bowling game is provided with a housing having an alley bed positioned therein of an elongated curvilinear shape extending from a bowler position to a pin position of the housing. A pin deck having preferably ten bowling pins rotatably mounted thereon in a triangular array is positioned in the housing at the pin position spaced from the alley bed to enable bowling balls to roll along the alley bed from the bowler position and under the pin deck. Knockdown members are separately appended to and through the pin deck to contact selected bowling pins and cause said bowling pins to separately move from a first upright position to a second knockdown position in response to contact of a corresponding knockdown member by a bowling ball moving along the alley under the knockdown member. Arms extend from said selected bowling pins to selectively engage other bowling pins of the array on movement of said pin or pins from the upright position to the knockdown position and cause said engaged bowling pins to move from the upright position to the knockdown position. Preferably, a reset assembly is positioned integral with the pin deck for readily moving bowling pins from the second knockdown position to the first upright position. A ball rolling member is slidably and rotatably positioned in the housing at the bowler position and is capable of rolling a bowling ball from the bowler position to and through the pin position. The ball rolling member includes a support member slidably and rotatably mounted in the housing and extending therefrom; an arm pivotally mounted on and extending from the support member toward the housing; a ball holder, including a permanent magnet rigidly mounted on the arm adjacent the housing and adapted for holding a bowling ball on pick-up and releasing the ball on rotation of the arm, and a propelling assembly for rotating said arm to roll a bowling ball from the ball holder along the alley bed to the pin position. A pick-up assembly is also provided for urging a bowling ball into the ball holder on the arm of the ball rolling member from a ball return assembly.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to bowling games and other games where a ball is propelled by a contestant.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

At the present time there is substantial interest in a game commonly called "bowling." The game is normally played by an individual grasping a heavy ball and rolling the ball along an elongated platform flanked by gutters, called an "alley," at 10 upstanding wooden pins positioned in equi-spaced triangular array on the end of the alley opposite from the individual. The object of the game is to knock-down all of the pins with one or two balls, and to repeat such knock-downs 10 to 11 consecutive times or "frames." Scoring is additive of the number of pins knocked down by each one or two balls, with bonuses of the number of pins knocked down on the next one or two balls being provided each time all 10 pins are knocked down with two or one balls, respectively.

Because of the popularity of conventional bowling, a number of attempts have been made to provide a children's game which simulates actually bowling. The general consideration has been production of a bowling game which realistically approaches actual bowling to the participant, and which is reasonable in cost, readily usable and durable. Previously proposed bowling games believed illustrative are described in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,003,249, 2,181,984, 2,535,973, 2,542,625, 2,652,252, 2,776,137, 2,830,568, 2,835,495, 3,172,401, 3,224,776, 3,228,685, 3,498,612, 3,703,288, 3,756,598, 3,792,859 and DES 197,727.

Previously proposed bowling games have been generally not accepted because of their lack of realism and mechanical complexity. For example, electronic means rather than mechanical means have been utilized to record knockdown of pins; or the bowling pins have been positioned or suspended above the alley instead of on a plane with the ball rolling means. Similarly, mechanical complex means have been required to provide reliable response of the bowling pins to the bowling ball, to provide for resetting of the bowling pins for the next frame, and to provide for realistically propelling the bowling ball down the alley.

The present invention overcomes these difficulties and disadvantages of previously known bowling games. It provides a bowling game which is realistic and durable, yet of low cost and readily usable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A bowling game is provided comprised of a housing having a bowler position and pin position. An alley bed having an elongated curvilinear shape is positioned in the housing and extends from the bowler position to the pin position.

A pin deck is also positioned in the housing at the pin position spaced from the alley bed to enable bowling balls to roll along the alley bed from the bowler position under the pin deck. The pin deck is preferably positioned in the housing substantially in a plane defined by the end portions of the alley bed at the bowler position.

The pin deck assembly includes a plurality of bowling pins separately mounted pivotally on the pin deck in a spaced array so that each pin is capable of rotatably moving from a first upright position to a second knockdown position, and vice versa. Preferably, the bowling pins are 10 in number mounted in a isosceles triangular array comprised of first, second, third and fourth rows of one, two, three and four pins, respectively, and with the apex of the triangular array toward the bowler position.

Also included in the pin deck assembly is a plurality of knockdown means separately appended to and through the pin deck to contact preferably the five bowling pins along the edge of the triangular array toward the bowler position. Whether part of the preferred embodiment or not, the knockdown means are positioned to separately contact the base portions of corresponding bowling pins when the pins are positioned in the first upright position, and to contact a bowling ball rolled along the alley bed from the bowler position under the corresponding pin and cause the corresponding pin to move from the first upright position to the second knockdown position in response to said contact by the bowling ball.

Preferably also integral with the pin deck assembly is a reset means for moving the bowling pins from the second knockdown position to the first upright position. Said reset means includes a reset deck position over the pin deck with the bowling pins extending through openings therein. The reset deck engages pins at the opening on movement of the pins to the second knockdown position. A lift means is also provided to move the reset deck away from the pin deck and in turn rotate the bowling pin engaged by the reset deck from their second knockdown position to their first upright position.

Preferably, the lift means includes a cam rotatably mounted through the housing, and said cam is capable of engaging and moving the reset deck on rotation.

Preferably, selected bowling pins have arms extending from one or both sides thereof. Said arms are capable of engaging at least one other bowling pin on movement of the selected bowling pin from the first upright position to the second knockdown position and in turn causing the engaged bowling pins to move from the first upright position to the second knockdown position. In the preferred embodiment, where the pins are arranged in a triangular array of 10 with five knockdown means contacting the pins along the edges of said array toward the bowler position, the arms are arranged such that all 10 pins are knocked down in response to the knockdown means in contact with the bowling pin in the first row, four or five pins are knocked down in response to a knockdown means in contact with one of the pins in the second row, and three pins are knocked down in response to a knockdown means in contact with one of the pins in the third row.

The bowling game also comprises a return means for returning to the bowler position bowling balls rolled along the alley bed from the bowler position to the pin position; and a ball rolling member positioned in the housing at the bowler position capable of rolling a bowling ball from the bowler position to the pin position. The ball rolling member includes (1) a support member slidably and rotatably mounted in the housing and extending therefrom, (2) an arm pivotally mounted on and extending from said member toward the housing, (3) a ball holder, including a permanent magnet, rigidly mounted on the arm at end portions adjacent the housing and adapted for holding a bowling ball on pick-up and releasing the ball on rotation of the arm, and (4) propelling means for rotating said arm to roll the bowling ball from the ball holder along the alley bed to the pin position. Preferably, the support member, pivotally mounted arm, and ball holder of the ball rolling member are shaped to simulate a person in a position to roll a bowling ball, an arm of said person in a position to roll a bowling ball and a hand on said arm of said person in a position to roll a bowling ball, respectively. Preferably, the propelling means includes a bias means capable of propelling the bowling ball along the alley bed toward the pin position with a substantially constant force.

The bowling game further includes a pick-up means arranged between the return means and the ball rolling member. On actuation, the pick-up means urges a ball from the return means into the ball holder on the arm of the ball rolling member. Preferably the pick-up means includes a lever member pivotally mounted on the housing and an actuating means on the ball rolling member capable of engaging the lever arm to actuate the pick-up means. On actuation by the actuating means, a bowling ball seated on the lever member is urged toward the ball holder of the ball rolling member.

Preferably, the bowling game automatically keeps score on a scoring panel mounted on the housing at the pin position. An electrical means or circuit suitably powered is provided in the scoring panel and extends into the pin deck assembly where a plurality of switches are positioned for actuation on movement of selected bowling pins, preferably those corresponding to the knockdown means, from the first upright position to the second knockdown position. Electric lamps are provided in the scoring panel and separately connected by the electrical means to the switches. By this means the scoring panel is capable of indicating movement of a bowling pin or a group of bowling pins from the upright position to the knockdown position. Preferably weights are positioned in head portions of said selected bowling pins to provide for positive movement of said bowling pins from the upright position to the knockdown position and positive actuation of the corresponding switches.

Other details, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description of the presently preferred embodiments and presently preferred methods for making and using the same proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and presently preferred methods for making and using the same are illustrated, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bowling game embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the bowling game shown in FIG. 1, with the bowling pins in knockdown position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the bowling game shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial elevational view partially in cross-section taken along line IV--IV of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the housing of the bowling game shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view in cross-section taken along line VI--VI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view in cross-section taken along line VII--VII of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged end elevational view of a pin deck and pin reset assembly of the bowling game shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged side elevational view of the pin deck and pin reset assembly shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged top view of the pin deck and pin reset assembly shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged top view of the pin deck and pin reset assembly identical to FIG. 10 except that the bowling pins are in knockdown position;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged bottom view of the pin deck and pin reset assembly shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line XIII--XIII of FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line XIV--XIV of FIG. 10;

FIG. 15 is a top view of the contact plate utilized in the pin deck and pin reset assembly shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 16 is a top view of the insulator plate utilized in the pin deck and pin reset assembly shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 17 is a top view of the reset deck utilized in the pin deck and pin reset assembly shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 18 is an end elevational view of the cam utilized in the pin deck and pin reset assembly shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged rear elevational view of the bowling pin utilized at the 1, 2, 4 and 6 positions of the pin deck and pin reset assembly shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 20 is a side elevational view with portions broken away of the bowling pin shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is an enlarged rear elevational view of a bowling pin utilized at the 3 position of the pin deck and pin reset assembly shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 22 is a side elevational view with portions broken away of the bowling pin shown in FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is an enlarged rear elevational view of a bowling pin utilized at the 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10 positions of the pin deck and pin reset assembly shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 24 is a side elevational view with portions broken away of the bowling pin shown in FIG. 23;

FIGS. 25 through 27 are enlarged elevational views taken along lines IV--IV of FIG. 2 showing the knockdown and reset operations of the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a back elevational view with portions broken away of the scoring panel of the bowling game shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 29 is an enlarged side elevational view with portions broken away of the ball rolling member utilized in the bowling game shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 30 is an end elevational view of the ball rolling member shown in FIG. 29;

FIG. 31 is an elevational view in cross-section taken along lines XXXI--XXXI of FIG. 29;

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines XXXII--XXXII of FIG. 29;

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXXIII--XXXIII of FIG. 30;

FIG. 34 is a fragmentary elevational view of a portion of FIG. 29 showing the ball rolling member in operation;

FIG. 35 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along lines XXXV--XXXV of FIG. 2 showing a lift portion of the ball return means of the bowling game;

FIG. 36 is an end elevational view of the portion of ball return means shown in FIG. 35; and

FIG. 37 is an enlarged side elevational view partially in cross-section taken along line XXXV--XXXV of FIG. 2 showing the operation of the ball pick-up means of the bowling game.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, a bowling game is comprised of housing 10 having bowler position 11 and pin position 12. Preferably, housing 10 is injection molded of pigmented polystyrene in a thin-walled elongated rectangular shape as specifically shown in FIGS. 5 through 7. Bowler position 11 is preferably at end portion 13 of the rectangular housing with planar upper surface 14 having elongated teardrop slot 15 extending across the width of housing 10 to slidably and rotatably mount ball rolling member 17. Teardrop 16 of slot 15, at end portions thereof, extends toward pin position 12 and corresponds to lift portion 18 of the ball return means hereinafter more fully described. Pin position 12 is preferably at opposite end portion 19 of rectangular housing 10, and includes raised rectangular mesa 20 in well 21 of housing 10 with upper surface 22 substantially parallel to surface 14 of bowler position 11 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7.

Alley bed 23 is positioned in housing 10 and extends from bowler position 11 to pin position 12. Alley bed 23 is of a curvilinear shape along its length as shown in FIG. 4. Preferably, alley bed 23 is fabricated of thin gauge steel bent along sides 24 and 25 to provide a hollow internal portion and realistic sound on rolling of a bowling ball along the alley bed. The technology of realistically painting such tin gauge steel is highly developed and facilitates manufacture. Bed 23 is mounted in housing 10 on insets 26 and 27 extending along the sides of well 21 of housing 10 from end portion 28 of alley bed 23. Bed 23 extends into well 21 toward pin position 12 and is mounted at opposite end portions 29 thereof to mesa 20 at pin position 12. The width of alley bed 23 corresponds to the width of mesa 20. Preferably as shown in FIG. 4, end portions 28 at bowler position 11 of housing 10 defines a first plane, and opposite end portions 29 at pin positions 12 of housing 10 defines a second plane which is substantially parallel to the first plane to provide the proper shape and mounting of the alley bed 23.

Pin deck assembly 30 is positioned in housing 10 at pin position 12 spaced from alley bed 23 to enable bowling balls to roll along alley bed 23 from bowler position 11 and under deck assembly 30. Pin deck assembly 30 is preferably positioned in housing 10 as shown in FIG. 4 substantially in the first plane, above described, that is, defined by end portions 28 of alley bed 23 at bowler position 11.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 3 through 18, pin deck assembly 30 is preferably comprised of base deck 31 typically molded of pigmented polypropylene. Base deck 31 is preferably molded with ten bowling pin seats or depressions 32 for separately mounting bowling pins. The pin seats are disposed in an isosceles triangular array comprised of first row 33, second row 34, third row 35 and fourth row 36, of one, two, three and four seats 32, respectively, with the apex of the array toward bowler position 11. Preferably seats 32 between rows are equally spaced apart, and the centerlines of seats 32 within the rows are equally spaced apart. In connection with certain seats 32 where relief is not otherwise provided as hereinafter described, relief depressions 37 are provided for rotation of the bowling pins.

Base deck 31 also has five openings 38 corresponding to the five bowling pins to be mounted along the edges of the triangular array toward bowler position 11. Positioned within each opening 38 through the base deck is a knockdown means 39. Each knockdown means 39 is preferably molded integral with the base deck 31, being separately appended from and through the base deck preferably from a position toward bowler position 11. Each knockdown means is made of material such as pigmented polypropylene and is so dimensioned as shown in FIg. 13 with flexural portion 40 appending from base deck 31.

Each knockdown means 39 also has a knee portion 41 integral with flexural portion 40 to contact base portion 67 of a corresponding bowling pin and actuator portion 42 extending angularly from knee portion 41 to contact a bowling ball rolled along alley bed 23 under knockdown means 39. By this arrangement, each knockdown means 39 is capable of moving a bowling pin mounted in contact therewith from a first upright position to a second knockdown position in response to contact of actuator portion 42 by a bowling ball rolled along alley bed 23 from bowler position 11 under pin deck assembly 30. The width of actuator portion 42 can be varied to provide higher or lower degrees of difficulty in playing the game and recording strikes and spares. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the knockdown means 39 associated with bowling pin 56 can be narrowed to add to the difficulty of obtaining strikes and spares, while the other knockdown means 39 can be wider as shown in FIG. 8, to enable the other bowling pins to be knocked down with lesser difficulty.

Also provided in base deck 31 are five switch depressions 43 corresponding to, but spaced from the five knockdown means 39. Switch depressions 43 are adapted to provide for mounting of five switches which are actuated on movement of corresponding bowling pins from the first upright position to the second knockdown position. The construction and operation of the switches are more fully described hereinafter.

Assembly of the pin deck assembly 30 is commenced by positioning switch contacts 44 into switch depressions 43 as shown in FIG. 25. Switch contacts 44 extend through openings 38 to provide for separate electrical connections to switch contacts 44 as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26. Switch contacts 44 are separately riveted to base deck 31 by rivets 45 as shown in FIG. 12.

After riveting of switch contacts 44, insulator plate 46 and contact plate 47 are sequentially positioned over base deck 31. Insulator plate 46, shown in FIG. 16, is typically made of bleached cardboard of 0.15 inch in thickness, which has preferably been coated on one side with polyethylene. Insulator plate 46 has T-shaped openings 48 to permit exposure of openings 38 and knockdown means 39 with the accompanying pin seats 32, large rectangular openings 49 to permit exposure of the other pin seats 32, and small rectangular openings 50 to permit exposure of switch contacts 44. Contact plate 47, shown in FIG. 15, is typically a light gauge steel. Contact plate 47 has large irregular openings 51 to permit extension of knockdown means 39 therethrough and permit mounting of bowling pins therethrough without exposing the accompanying pin seats 32, and small irregular openings 52 to permit mounting of the remaining pins therethrough without exposing the accompanying pin seats 32. Contact plate 47 also has rectangular openings 53 with integral offset contacts 54 positioned therein. When contact plate 47 is positioned, offset contacts 54 form switches 55 as shown in FIG. 25 in combination with switch contacts 44.

Bowling pins 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64 and 65 are then rotatably positioned in pin seats through openings 51 and 52 in contact plate 47 and openings 38 and 49 in insulator plate 46. The bowling pins are preferably of three types: Pins 56, 58, 59 and 61 are of the first type shown in FIGS. 19 and 20; pin 57 is of the second type shown in FIGS. 21 and 22; and pins 60, 62, 63, 64 and 65 are of the third type shown in FIGS. 23 and 24.

The bowling pins are typically molded of pigmented polystyrene by known injection molding techniques. As shown, each bowling pin is preferably molded in a thin-walled structure of a half of a bowling pin. Each pin has an integral hinge pin 66 spaced from and extending across base portion 67 of the pin to provide for rotatable positioning of the pin in pin seat 32 of deck base 33. Base portion 67 of each pin is adapted to engage knee portion 41 of a knockdown means 39. A stop portion 68 is also provided in neck portion 69 of each bowling pin to provide a rest for the pin when the pin is in knockdown position and an actuation means of a corresponding switch as hereinafter described. Each pin is also provided with a small rubber band 70, typically red in color, around neck portion 69 to provide a decoration associated with conventional bowling.

Bowling pins of the third type have no additional features as shown by FIGS. 23 and 24. Each bowling pin of the first and second type has in addition nest portion 71 in head portion 72 wherein a weight 73 is positioned, weight 73 preferably being in the shape of an unused rivet. Weights 63 in pins 56, 57, 58, 59 and 61 are provided for positive actuation of the switches 55, as well as positive movement of the bowling pins from the first upright to the second knockdown position to ensure knockdown of the other bowling pins.

Each bowling pin of the first and second type also has at least one arm 74 integral with and extending outwardly from adjacent neck portions 69. The first type has two arms extending outwardly from opposite sides; and the second type has one arm extending outwardly from one side. Arms 74 are adapted to selectively engage at least one other bowling pin on movement from the first upright position to the second knockdown position and cause such engaged bowling pin to also move from the first upright position to the second knockdown position.

On positioning of the bowling pins, insulator plate 46 and contact plate 47 are fastened to base deck 31 by rivets 75 to complete the pin deck assembly 30. Contact deck 47 has no openings corresponding to pin seats 32 so that the bowling pins are retained in pin seats 32. So arranged, the bowling pins are adapted for movement from the first upright position as shown in FIG. 10 to the second knockdown position as shown in FIG. 11.

Preferably, assembled with the pin deck assembly 30 is pin reset means 76 to readily reset bowling pins from the knockdown position to the upright position. Pin reset means 76 is comprised of reset deck 77 typically injection molded of pigmented polypropylene having openings 78 corresponding to bowling pins 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64 and 65, and smaller openings 79 for actuation of switches 55 through the reset deck where openings 78 cannot be utilized for that purpose. Openings 78 enable reset deck 77 to be fitted over the bowling pins and be positioned on contact plate 47. For assembly of reset means 76, slots 80 are provided as part of openings 78 for fitting reset deck 77 over arms 74 on the first and second types of bowling pins. Openings 78 are positioned so that reset deck 77 does not impede the movement of the bowling pins from the first upright position to the second knockdown position, yet permits the bowling pins to rest on the reset deck 77 adjacent openings 78 in the knockdown position.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 17, 18 and 27, pin reset means 76 also comprises lift means 81 to enable movement of reset deck 77 away from pin deck assembly 30 and in turn cause movement of bowling pins 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64 and 65 from the second knockdown position to the first upright position. Lift means 81 preferably includes guide means 82 integral with and extending from base deck 31 at the corners on opposite sides of the bowling pin array away from bowler position 11, in which pins 83 integral with reset deck 77 are positioned to move as shown in FIG. 27. Lift means 81 also preferably includes cam 84, shown in FIG. 18, typically molded of pigmented polypropylene that is rotatably mounted through housing 10. Cam 84 has integral lift arms 85 which extend through slots 87 in base deck 31 and engage notches 86 along the edges of reset deck 77 toward bowler position 11 as shown in FIG. 27. By this arrangement, the bowling pins can be readily reset to the first upright position by simply rotating knob 88, which is rigidly fastened to the end of cam 84, and causes reset deck 77 to lift away from pin deck assembly 30 along guide means 82.

Referring to FIGS. 25, 26 and 27, the operation of pin deck assembly 30 and pin reset means 76 are illustrated with respect to bowling pin 56. Typically, the game is played with two bowling balls, which are inserted into the game through opening 21A in well 21 of housing 10, to provide for bowling in frames of two balls similar to conventional bowling. A bowling ball 89 is rolled along alley bed 23 from ball rolling member 17, as hereinafter described in more detail, under bowling pin 56 positioned in the first upright position as shown in FIG. 25. As shown in FIG. 26, ball 89 contacts actuator portion 42 of knockdown means 39, causing flexural portion 40 of knockdown means 39 to bend up, and force knee portion 41 of knockdown means 39 against base portion 67 of bowling pin 56.

Bowling pin 56 responds by tilting out of equilibrium and moving from the first upright position as shown in FIG. 25 to the second knockdown position as shown in FIG. 26 by rotation about hinge pin 66. Stop portion 68 of the bowling pin is thus caused to extend through opening 78 in reset deck 77, opening 53 in contact plate 47 and opening 50 in insulator plate 46 to urge contact 54 against contact 44 and close switch 55. Weight 73 in head portion 72 of the bowling pin exerts force downwardly to provide positive movement of the bowling pin to the knockdown position and positive closing of switch 55. On closing, switch 55 closes an electrical circuit to light an electrical lamp to indicate knockdown of the bowling pin.

Concurrently, arms 74 on the bowling pins provide for engagement and knockdown of other bowling pins. Specifically, a domino effect is provided. Arms 74 on bowling pin 56 engage bowling pins 57 and 58 and cause those pins to move from the first upright position to the second knockdown position. Arms 74 on pins 57 and 58 engage bowling pins 59, 60 and 61 and cause those pins to move from the first upright position to the second knockdown position. Arms 74 on pins 59 and 61 engage bowling pins 62, 63, 64 and 65 and cause those pins to move from the first upright position to the second knockdown position. Thus, on actuation of the knockdown means 39 at bowling pin 56 by bowling ball 89, all of the bowling pins respond to the knockdown means to record either a strike or a spare, depending on whether bowling ball 89 is the first or second ball of the frame.

Similarly, if knockdown means 39 at bowling pin 57 is actuated by bowling ball 89, arms 74 of pins 57 and 59 cause movement of bowling pins 59, 62 and 63 from the first upright position to the second knockdown position along with pins 57 in response to the knockdown means; if knockdown means 39 at bowling pin 58 is actuated by bowling ball 89, arms 74 of pins 58 and 61 cause movement of bowling pins 60, 61, 64 and 65 from the first upright position to the second knockdown position along with pin 58 in response to the knockdown means; if knockdown means 39 at bowling pin 59 is actuated by bowling ball 89, arms 74 of pin 59 cause movement of bowling pins 62 and 63 from the first upright position to the second knockdown position along with pin 59 in response to the knockdown means; and if knockdown means 39 at bowling pin 61 is actuated by bowling ball 89, arms 74 of pin 61 cause movement of bowling pins 64 and 65 from the first upright position to the second knockdown position along with pin 61 in response to the knockdown means.

After bowling of the frame, the bowling pins are reset to the first upright position by pin reset means 76 as shown in FIG. 27. Specifically, knob 88 is turned a quarter turn to cause arms 85 of cam 84 to engage notches 86 of reset deck 77 and cause reset deck 77 to move away from pin deck assembly 30 guided by guide means 82. In turn, reset deck 77 engages the bowling pins at the edges of openings 78, and, causes bowling pins that are in the second knockdown position to move to the first upright position. Any bowling pins that are already in the first upright position are unaffected by the actuation of the reset means. On movement of the pin to the upright position, knob 88 is released and reset deck 77 returns to its rest position in contact with the pin deck assembly 30, leaving all of the bowling pins in the upright position.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 28, scoring panel 90 is fastened to end portion 19 of housing 10 by base member 91. Base member 91 is fastened to upper edge portion of housing 10 by screws 92, and scoring panel 90 is in turn fastened to base member 91 by any suitable means as screws or integral tab and slot means. Scoring panel 90 is comprised of scoring housing 93 to which base member 91 fastens, and scoreboard 94 which is the front of housing 93. Scoreboard 94 is shown in FIG. 1, on which numbers one through ten (or zero) are displayed in windows of a triangular array corresponding to bowling pins 56 through 65. Also on scoreboard 94 are star-shaped windows 95 and 96, which register spares and strikes, respectively.

Positioned in scoring housing 93 on light panel 91 are contact strips 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103 and 104, which contain conventional sockets (not shown) on the first side for standard light lamps. The contact strips with their sockets and lamps correspond to certain groupings of bowling pins and numbers on scoreboard 94: Contact strip 98 corresponds to bowling pin 56 and number (1) on scoreboard 94; contact strip 99 corresponds to bowling pin 57 and number (2) on scoreboard 94; contact strip 100 corresponds to bowling pins 58 and 60 and numbers (3) and (5) on scoreboard 94; contact strip 101 corresponds to bowling pins 59, 62 and 63 and numbers (4), (7) and (8) on scoreboard 94; and contact strip 102 corresponds to bowling pins 61, 64 and 65 and numbers (6), (9) and (10) (or (0 )). This arrangement is made possible by the positioning of arms 74 on the bowling pins to assure that certain bowling pins are concurrently knocked down and results in conversion of light fixtures and support circuitry.

Contact strips 103 and 104 and the corresponding sockets and lamps correspond to star-shaped windows 95 and 96 to register spares and strikes, respectively.

Metal contact strips 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103 and 104 are electrically connected by standard wires 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110 and 111 to appropriate sockets of female electrical socket 112. Ground wire 113 is also connected from a ground plate on light panel 97 for closing of the circuit with the contact strips and corresponding lamps; and a suitable battery pack 114 to power the scoring panel is connected by contacts 115 and 116 and wires 117 and 118, respectively, to socket 112. A male plug and wire harness (not shown) in turn electrically connect contact strips 98, 99, 100, 101 and 102 to switches 55 at bowling pins 56, 57, 58, 59 and 61, respectively, through opening 21B in well 21 of housing 10.

Contact strips 103 and 104 are thereby also electrically connected to contacts 119 and 120, respectively, of two-way switch 121 shown in FIG. 35. Center contact 122 of switch 121 is in turn connected by suitable wiring (not shown) to switch 55 at bowling pin 56 so that the scoring panel 90 will alternatively register a spare or a strike on knockdown of the head bowling pin 56, depending on whether switch 121 is close to contacts 119 or 120. Further, the male socket shorts sockets connected to wires 113 and 118 so that battery pack 114 makes contact to one terminal of each of the electric lamps through the ground plate on light panel 97, and the male socket connects by a suitable wire of the wire harness from one of the terminals of the battery pack to clip socket 123 on contact plate 47 of pin deck assembly 30 to close the circuit.

Referring to FIGS. 29 through 34, the specifics of ball rolling member 17 are shown. Ball rolling member 17 is rotatably and slidably positioned in teardrop slot 15 at bowler position 11 and is capable of rolling a bowling ball from bowler position 11 to and through pin position 12. Ball rolling member 17 comprises support member 124 typically injection molded of pigmented polystyrene in two thin-walled halves 125 and 126, shown in FIG. 31, to provide a hollow structure. Support member 124 has mount portion 127 which extends into and through teardrop slot 15 in housing 10 to slidably and rotatably mount the support member. Support member 124 also has bowler portion 128 preferably in the form of a person in a position to roll a bowling ball, and pistol grip portion 129 to rotate and slide support member 124 and in turn to aim ball rolling member 17. Pistol grip portion 129 is connected to the interior of bowler portion 128 by connection chamber portion 130 of support member 127.

Bowler arm 131, preferably in the form of an arm of a person in a position to roll a bowling ball, is rotatably mounted from support member 124 by integral pivot 132 and extends toward upper surface 14 of housing 10 at bowler position 11. Specifically, pivot 132 extends through opening 133 in support member 124 and is rigidly fastened to latch arm 134 rotatably positioned within bowler portion 128 of support member 124. Bowler arm 131 is typically injection molded of pigmented polystyrene in a thin-walled shape as shown in FIG. 3, with ribs 135 to rigidly support pivot 132. Bowler arm 131 also comprises nest fastener portion 136 positioned approximately half-way along bowler arm 131 to provide for further attachment of the bowler arm to latch arm 134 and ball holder 137 at end portion 138 adjacent upper surface 14 of housing 10 at bowler position 11. Ball holder 137 preferably is an integral part of bowler arm 131, and simulates a hand on an arm of a person in a position to roll a bowling ball. Ball holder 137 also includes permanent magnet 139 which is positioned at end portions 138 of bowler arm 131 by clip portions 140 and mounted portion 141. Magnet 139 preferably is sufficiently strong to retain a metal bowling ball in the ball holder, but sufficiently weak to release the ball on rotation of the bowler arm. Ball holder 137 is thereby adapted for holding of a bowling ball on pick-up and releasing of said bowling ball on rotation of bowler arm 131 as hereinafter described.

Propelling means 142 is positioned in bowler portion 128, pistol grip portion 129 and connection portion 130 of support member 124, and provides a means for rotating bowler arm 131 to propel and roll a bowling ball from ball holder 137 along alley bed 23 to and through pin position 12. Propelling means 142 comprises latch arm 134 (above described), and trip release arm 143. Trip release arm 143 is rotatably mounted on latch arm 134 by pivot 144, which extends through opening 145 in latch arm 134, through arcuate slot 146 in support member 124, and fits into nest fastener portion 136 to fasten to bowler arm 131. Trip release arm 143 is biased from rotation by propelling spring 147, which connects to release arm 143 at integral peg 148 thereof and to support member 124 at integral peg 149 thereof as shown in FIG. 29.

Propelling means 142 also comprises secondary latch 150 slidably positioned in bowler portion 128 of support member 124 to engage trip release arm 141 and trigger 151 slidably positioned in and through pistol portion 129 and connection portion 130 of support member 124. In addition, trigger spring 152 is slidably positioned in and through connection chamber portion 130 and fastens at one end to secondary latch 150 and at the other end to trigger 151.

By this arrangement, ball rolling member 17 is operated by a player gripping pistol grip portion 129 of support member 124 and aiming the ball rolling member 17 toward pin position 12 with a bowling ball positioned in ball holder 137. The player simultaneously grips and pulls on trigger 151, causing bowler arm 131 to rotate until trip release arm 134 disconnects from secondary latch 150 as shown in FIG. 34. On disconnection, the bowler arm 131 swings rapidly downwardly and forwardly toward alley bed 23 and pin position 12 under the force of propelling spring 147. Since the disconnection of release arm 134 from secondary latch 150 always occurs at the same position, propelling spring 147 propels the bowling ball along alley bed 23 toward the pin position with a substantially constant force, irrespective of the speed and force with which trigger 151 is pulled by the player. After bowling, the player releases trigger 151, and secondary latch 150, trigger 151 and spring 152 slidably return to their original position under the force of spring 149. Trip release arm 134 also re-engages second latch 150 for bowling of the next ball.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, 7, 35 and 36, ball return means 153 is comprised of collection portion 154 and lift portion 18, which is provided for returning to bowler position 11 bowling balls rolled along alley bed 23 from ball rolling member 17 to and through pin position 12. Collection portion 154 is arranged in well 21 of housing 10 and includes angular depression 155, which extends about mesa 20, and angular bottom 156 and angular wall portion 157 of well 21 as shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 7. By this arrangement, when the bowling game is positioned for playing, bowling balls at pin position 12 roll under the force of gravity back toward bowler portion 11 to collect at opening 158, through opening 158 in well 21 of housing, and through coincident opening 159 in lift portion 18 into the lift portion and against ball stop 160.

Lift portion 13 is positioned in secondary well 161 provided in housing 10 and is comprised of lift housing 162, which is typically injection molded of pigmented polystyrene in two thin-walled halves 163 and 164. In addition to ball stop 160, lift housing 162 is provided with arcuate internal wall 165 and ball rest 166 to divide housing 162 essentially into two chambers 167 and 168, with chamber 167 circular in configuration with discharge opening 169 between ball rest 166 and outer wall 170 of housing 162.

Rotatably positioned within circular chamber 167 of lift housing 162 on square shaft 171 is paddle wheel 172, of which knob 173 is an integral part. Shaft 171 extends through housing 10. Paddle wheel 172 is typically injection molded of pigmented polystyrene in a thin-walled structure and is comprised of a plurality of ball lift portions 174 around the periphery thereof. By this arrangement, bowling balls collected at ball stop 160 are sequentially lifted and deposited on ball rest 166 by rotation of knob 173 and paddle wheel 172 by a player.

Referring to FIGS. 35 through 37, pick-up means 175 is provided for delivering a bowling ball to ball holder 137 on bowler arm 131 of ball rolling member 17. Pick-up means 175 preferably comprises ball ejector lever member 176 pivotally mounted in chamber 168 of lift housing 162, and actuator lever 177 having integral pivot 178 extending through an opening in lift housing 162 and fastening to ejector lever member 176. Both ejector lever member 176 and actuator lever 177 are preferably made of pigmented polypropylene typically by injection molding. Ejector lever member 176 has seat portion 179 adapted to receive a bowling ball from ball rest 166 of ball return means 153 and provide a seat for the bowling ball for subsequent urging toward and into ball holder 137.

Ejector lever member 176 also has switch actuator portion 180 which rests against end portions of center contact 122 to activate two-way switch 121. By this arrangement, ejector lever member 176 exerts a force to close switch 121 and have center contact 122 electrically connect to contact 120 when a bowling ball is seated on lever member 176, and ejector lever member 176 relieves a force to close switch 121 and have center contact 122 electrically connect to contact 119 when a bowling ball is not seated on lever member 176. Accordingly, the circuit is closed from switch 55 at head bowling pin 56 to star-shaped window 96 indicating a strike when the second ball for bowling the frame is seated on lever member 176, and the circuit is closed from switch 55 at head bowling pin 56 to star-shaped window 95 indicating a spare when the second ball for bowling the frame is being utilized in actual bowling.

Pick-up means 175 is actuated by actuator means 181 which is an integral part of support member 124 of ball rolling member 17. Thus, pick-up means 175 is operated by a player gripping pistol grip portion 129 of support member 124, sliding the ball rolling member 17 along slot 15 until it coincidents with teardrop 16 at the end portions thereof, and pushing ball rolling member 17 toward pin position 12. As shown in FIG. 37, actuator means 181 thereby engages actuator lever 177 and causes ejector lever 176 to urge the bowling ball seated therein toward ball holder 137 of bowler arm 131, which is concurrently positioned coincident with ejector lever member 176. Permanent magnet 139 of ball holder 137 also aids the urging of the bowling ball into the ball holder as well as the retention therein. Should the bowling ball fail to position in ball holder 137, retention portion 182 as part of lift housing 162 is provided to stop the ball from falling into chamber 168 of lift housing 162.

On positioning of the bowling ball, the player is able to again slide ball rolling member 17 along slot 15 and aim the ball at pin position 12 from a desired position. To avoid loss of the bowling balls and damage to the structure, housing 10 is preferably covered with a clear polystyrene plastic cover 183 as shown in FIG. 1.

While the presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been specifically described, it is distinctly understood that the invention may be otherwise variously embodied and used. Particularly, it is contemplated that the ball rolling member may have application in games other than bowling games.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A bowling game comprising:

A. a housing having a bowler position and a pin position;

B. an alley bed positioned in the housing having an elongated curvilinear shape, and extending from the bowler position to the pin position;

C. a pin deck positioned in the housing at the pin position spaced from the alley bed to enable bowling balls to roll along the alley bed from the bowler position and under the pin deck;

D. a plurality of bowling pins separately mounted pivotally on the pin deck in a spaced array, each pin being capable of rotatably moving from a first upright position to a second knockdown position;

E. a plurality of knockdown means separately appended to and through the pin deck, each knockdown means separately contacting a base portion of a corresponding pin when the pin is positioned in the first upright position and capable of causing the corresponding pin to move from the first upright position to the second knockdown position in response to contact of the knockdown means by a bowling ball rolling along the alley bed from the bowler position under the corresponding pin;

F. a ball return means for returning to the bowler position bowling balls rolled along the alley bed from the bowler position to the pin position;

G. a ball rolling member slidably and rotatably positioned in the housing at the bowler position capable of rolling a bowling ball from the bowler position to the pin position, said ball rolling member including (1) a support member slidably and rotatably mounted in the housing and extending therefrom, (2) an arm pivotally mounted on and extending from said support member toward the housing, (3) a ball holder rigidly mounted on the arm at end portions adjacent the housing, said ball holder including a permanent magnet and adapted for holding of a bowling ball on pick-up and releasing such a ball on rotation of the arm, and (4) propelling means for rotating said arm to roll a bowling ball from the ball holder along the alley bed to the pin position; and

F. a ball pick-up means for urging a bowling ball from the ball return means into the ball holder on the arm of the ball rolling member.

2. A bowling game as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

the pin deck is positioned in the housing substantially in a plane defined by end portions of the alley bed at the bowler position.

3. A bowling game as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

i. the support member of the ball rolling member simulates a person in a position to roll a bowling ball;

ii. the pivotally mounted arm simulates an arm of said person in a position to roll a bowling ball; and

iii. the ball holder simulates a hand on said arm of said person in a position to roll a bowling ball.

4. A bowling game as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

the propelling means of the ball rolling member includes a bias means capable of propelling a bowling ball along the alley bed toward the pin position with a substantially constant force.

5. A bowling game as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

i. the pick-up means includes a lever member pivotally mounted in the housing and capable of urging a bowling ball to the ball holder of the ball rolling member on actuation; and

ii. the ball rolling member includes an actuating means capable of engaging the lever member to actuate the lever member of the ball pick-up means.

6. A bowling game as set forth in claim 1 comprising in addition:

I. a pin reset means for moving bowling pins from the second knockdown position to the first upright position, said reset means including a reset deck positioned over the pin deck with the bowling pins extending through openings therein and adapted to engage said pins in the second knockdown position, and a lift means for moving the reset deck away from the pin deck to rotate the bowling pins from the second knockdown position to the first upright position.

7. A bowling game as set forth in claim 6 wherein:

the lift means includes a cam rotatably mounted through the housing and engaging the reset deck.

8. A bowling game as set forth in claim 1 comprising in addition:

I. a scoring panel mounted on the housing at the pin position and capable of indicating movement of bowling pins from the upright position to the knockdown position;

J. a plurality of switches positioned on the pin deck capable of actuation on movement of corresponding bowling pins from the first upright position to the second knockdown position; and

K. an electrical means for connecting the switches on the pin deck to the scoring panel.

9. A bowling game as set forth in claim 8 comprising in addition:

weights positioned in head portions of certain bowling pins to aid in movement of said bowling pins from the first upright position to the second knockdown position and in positive actuation of the corresponding switches.

10. A bowling game as set forth in claim 1 comprising in addition:

I. arms extending from certain bowling pins, each said arm cabable of engaging at least one other bowling pin on movement of a said certain bowling pin from the first upright position to the second knockdown position and causing said engaged bowling pin to move from the first upright position to the second knockdown position.

11. A bowling game comprising:

A. a housing having a bowler position and a pin position;

B. an elongated alley bed positioned in the housing having an elongated curvilinear shape, and extending from the bowler position to the pin position;

C. a pin deck positioned in the housing at the pin position spaced from the alley bed to enable bowling balls to roll along the alley bed from the bowler position and under the pin deck;

D. ten bowling pins separately mounted pivotally on the pin deck in a spaced apart triangular array comprised of first, second, third and fourth rows of one, two, three and four pins, respectively, and with the apex thereof toward the bowler position, each bowling pin being capable of rotatably moving from a first upright position to a second knockdown position;

E. five knockdown means separately appended to and through the pin deck to separately contact base portions of the five bowling pins along the edge of said triangular array toward the bowler position when the pin is positioned in the first upright position, and capable of causing said five bowling pins to separately move from the first upright position to the second knockdown position in response to contact of the knockdown means by a bowling ball rolling along the alley bed from the bowler position under the corresponding pin;

F. arms extending from said bowling pins corresponding to the five knockdown means, each said arm capable of engaging at least one other selected bowling pin on movement of one of said corresponding bowling pins from the first upright position to the second knockdown position such that all ten pins are knocked down in response to the knockdown means in contact with the bowling pin in the first row, four or five pins are knocked down in response to a knockdown means in contact with one of the bowling pins in the second row, and three pins are knocked down in response to a knockdown means in contact with one of the bowling pins in the third row;

G. a ball return means for returning to the bowler position bowling balls rolled along the alley bed from the bowler position to the pin position;

H. a ball rolling member slidably and rotatably positioned in the housing at the bowler position capable of rolling a bowling ball from the bowler position to the pin position, said ball rolling member including (1) a support member slidably and rotatably mounted in the housing and extending therefrom, (2) an arm pivotally mounted on and extending from said support member toward the housing, (3) a ball holder rigidly mounted on the arm at end portions adjacent the housing, said ball holder including a permanent magnet and adapted for holding of a bowling ball on pick-up and releasing such a ball on rotation of the arm, and (4) propelling means for rotating said arm to roll a bowling ball from the ball holder along the alley bed to the pin position; and

I. a ball pick-up means for urging a bowling ball from the ball return means into the ball holder on the arm of the ball rolling member.

12. A bowling game as set forth in claim 11 wherein:

the pin deck is positioned in the housing substantially in a plane defined by end portions of the alley bed at the bowler position.

13. A bowling game as set forth in claim 11 wherein:

i. the support member of the ball rolling member simulates a person in a position to roll a bowling ball;

ii. the pivotally mounted arm simulates an arm of said person in a position to roll a bowling ball; and

iii. the ball holder simulates a hand on said arm of said person in a position to roll a bowling ball.

14. A bowling game as set forth in claim 11 wherein:

the propelling means of the ball rolling member includes a bias means capable of propelling a bowling ball along the alley bed toward the pin position with a substantial constant force.

15. A bowling game as set forth in claim 11 wherein:

i. the pick-up means includes a lever member pivotally mounted in the housing and capable of urging a bowling ball to the ball holder of the ball rolling member on actuation; and

ii. the ball rolling member includes an actuation means capable of engaging the lever member to actuate the lever member of the ball pick-up means.

16. A bowling game as set forth in claim 11 comprising in addition:

J. a pin reset means for moving bowling pins from the second knockdown position to the first upright position, said reset means including a reset deck positioned over the pin deck with the bowling pins extending through openings therein and adapted to engage said pins in the second knockdown position, and a lift means for moving the reset deck away from the pin deck to rotate the bowling pins from the second knockdown position to the first upright position.

17. A bowling game as set forth in claim 16 wherein:

the lift means includes a cam rotatably mounted through the housing and engaging the reset deck.

18. A bowling game as set forth in claim 11 comprising in addition:

J. a scoring panel mounted on the housing at the pin position and capable of indicating movement of bowling pins from the upright position to the knockdown position;

K. a plurality of switches positioned on the pin deck capable of actuation on movement of corresponding bowling pins from the first upright position to the second knockdown position; and

L. an electrical means for connecting the switches on the pin deck to the scoring panel.

19. A bowling game as set forth in claim 18 comprising in addition:

weights positioned in head portions of certain bowling pins to aid in movement of said bowling pins from the first upright position to the second knockdown position and in positive actuation of the corresponding switches.