Century International Corporation

Amf Bowling, Inc.

Ronald L Smith

Stephen F Caffrey

Donald E Ingermann

Lonney J Steinhoff

Leonid Feldman

Gary D Fields

Jimmie L Knoll

Joseph C Dechant

Endre Barsi

Steven Wayne Stuart

Ronald G Sullivan

Alan R DeVoe

Eldon G Sauer

An apparatus applies dressing fluid to a bowling lane surface in a discrete pattern laterally across a plurality of zones on the bowling lane. A carriage, for movement along a bowling lane, has an applicator mounted thereon for applying the dressing fluid to the bowling lane surface. Dressing fluid is supplied from a reservoir by a plurality of pulse valves which supply the dressing fluid to a plurality of fluid dispersion chambers, each having an inlet connected to one of the pulse valves and having an outlet positioned to apply dressing fluid to the applicator. The outlet has a width equal to the width of one of the zones. A controller is provided for selectively activating each of the pulse valves to discharge a discrete amount of fluid dressing into each dispersion chamber. Each zone may be the width of one board across the bowling alley so that different discrete amounts of oil can be applied to each board. A method is provided to supply discrete amounts of bowling lane dressing to each of a plurality of zones wherein each zone is one board width or portion of a board width.

Apparatus for selectively metering dressing onto a bowling lane surface

An apparatus applies dressing fluid to a bowling lane surface in a desired lane dressing pattern laterally across a plurality of zones on the bowling lane and longitudinally along a predetermined length of each of the zones. Each zone may be the width or a selected fractional width of one board across the bowling lane so that different discrete amounts of lane dressing can be applied to each board along a predetermined length. The apparatus includes a plurality of metering devices which supply lane dressing to corresponding lane dressing dispersion units which in turn supply lane dressing directly to an applicator. The applicator applies the lane dressing to the bowling lane according to the desired lane dressing pattern. A method is provided to supply discrete amounts of bowling lane dressing at desired incremental locations laterally across and longitudinally along a bowling lane. Further, a method is provided for calibration of the apparatus of this invention in order to achieve application of complex lane dressing patterns to the bowling lane.

Apparatus and method for selectively metering dressing onto a bowling

An apparatus applies dressing fluid to a bowling lane surface in a discrete pattern laterally across a plurality of zones on the bowling lane. A carriage, for movement along a bowling lane, has an applicator mounted thereon for applying the dressing fluid to the bowling lane surface. Dressing fluid is supplied from a reservoir by means off a plurality of pulse valves which supply the dressing fluid to a plurality of fluid dispersion chambers, each having an inlet connected to one of the pulse valves and having an outlet positioned to apply dressing fluid to the applicator. The outlet has a width equal to the width of one of the zones. A controller is provided for selectively activating each of the pulse valves to discharge a discrete amount of fluid dressing into each dispersion chamber. Each zone may be the width of one board across the bowling alley so that different discrete amounts of oil can be applied to each board. A method is provided to supply discrete amounts of bowling lane dressing to each of a plurality of zones wherein each zone is one board width or portion of a board width.

An apparatus applies dressing fluid to a bowling lane surface in a discreet pattern laterally across a plurality of zones on the bowling lane. A carriage, for movement along a bowling lane, has an applicator mounted thereon for applying the dressing fluid to the bowling lane surface. Dressing fluid is supplied from a reservoir by a plurality of pulse valves which supply the dressing fluid to a plurality of fluid dispersion chambers, each having an inlet connected to one of the pulse valves and having an outlet positioned to apply dressing fluid to the applicator. The outlet has a width equal to the width of one of the zones. A controller is provided for selectively activating each of the pulse valves to discharge a discrete amount of fluid dressing into each dispersion chamber. Each zone may be the width of one board across the bowling alley so that different discrete amounts of oil can be applied to each board. A method is provided to supply discreet amounts of bowling lane dressing to each of a plurality of zones wherein each zone is one board width or portion of a board width.

A bowling lane dressing apparatus for use on a bowling alley has a carriage with a lane buffer roller. A transfer roller in rolling engagement with the lane buffer roller and in fluid communication with a plurality of reservoirs, each containing lane dressing fluid for transferring fluid from each reservoir by a wick therein to the lane buffing roller. Each reservoir is pivotally mounted for independent movement to bring its wick into or out of engagement with the transfer roller. A variable speed drive is connected to the transfer roller for rotating it at variable speeds to vary the rate of transfer of fluid from each reservoir to the lane buffer roller. If desired, the transfer roller can be separated into independently rotatable roller segments, each of which can be driven by separate variable speed motors. The roller segments and the wick of the reservoir associated with that roller segment may be of substantially equal widths.

Multiple tanks for applying lane dressing to transfer roller for bowling

In one embodiment, a bowling lane dressing apparatus has a carriage. With a lane buffer roller and a transfer roller in rolling engagement with the lane buffer roller and in fluid communication with a reservoir containing lane dressing fluid for transferring fluid from the reservoir to the lane buffing roller. A variable speed drive is connected to the transfer roller for rotating it at variable speeds to vary the rate of transfer of fluid from the reservoir to the lane buffer roller. In a second embodiment, the transfer roller is separated into independently rotatable roller segments, each of which can be driven by separate variable speed motors. The segments may comprise a center roller segment driven by one variable speed motor, a pair of track roller segments at opposite ends of the center roller segment, respectively, driven by a second variable speed motor, and a pair of outer roller segments at opposite outer ends of said track roller segments, respectively, driven by a third variable speed motor. In a third embodiment, each roller is driven by a separate variable speed motor.

Multiple independent variable speed transfer rollers for bowling lane

In accordance with this invention, a bowling lane dressing apparatus is provided which has a carriage for movement along the bowling lane between the foul line and the pit. Drive wheels are rotatably mounted on the carriage for moving the carriage along the bowling lane by means of drive means connected thereto. A lane buffer roller is journaled on the carriage in lane-contacting relation which extends transversely to the direction of travel. A reservoir is mounted in the carriage for storage of lane-dressing fluid. A transfer roller is mounted in rolling engagement with the lane buffer roller and in fluid communication with the reservoir for transferring fluid from the reservoir to the lane buffing roller. Variable speed drive means is connected to the transfer roller for rotating it at variable speeds to vary the rate of transfer of fluid from the reservoir to the lane buffer roller.

Variable speed transfer roller for bowling lane dressing apparatus

A vacuum bowling lane stripper is provided which has a carriage for movement along a bowling alley from a foul line to the pit. The carriage has a forward portion and a rear portion. A cleaning applicator is provided in the forward portion and a cleaner reservoir is provided in the rear portion. A conduit is provided for supplying cleaner from the reservoir to the applicator for applying cleaner to the bowling alley ahead of the carriage as the carriage is moved along the lane. A vacuum device is provided for removing cleaner and dirt from the surface of the lane, the vacuum device having a vacuum head extending transversely of the forward portion of the carriage and in an operative lane-engaging position.

Fluid handling apparatus for bowling lane cleaning device

In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus is provided wherein cleaner is applied to all or a portion of the lane and the cleaner, oil and other residue is picked up by a vacuum head trailing the cleaner applicator in one trip from the foul line to the pit leaving the lane clean and dry. The cleaner can be applied either by means of an applicator pad or by a sprayer. If desired, the cleaning operation can be limited to the last forty-five feet or so, since it is generally desirable to clean this portion of the lane more often than the front portion. On the return or reverse movement of the stripper, no cleaning operations are undertaken but cleaner may be permitted to flow from the cleaner storage tank to the applicator so that the applicator will have sufficient cleaner in it for the beginning of application on the next lane. A mechanism is provided for bowing the vacuum head so that the center is lower than the side edges so that it conforms generally to the concave shape of a bowling alley. A waste tank is provided with appropriate baffles to separate the waste liquid and solids from an air stream created by a vacuum motor attached to the outlet of the waste tank.

Automatic vacuum bowling lane stripper

In accordance with the present invention, a combination apparatus is provided wherein cleaner is applied to all or a portion of the lane and the cleaner, dressing and other residue is picked up by a vacuum head trailing the cleaner applicator followed by a buffer roller to apply new dressing to the lane. If desired, the cleaning operation can be limited to the last forty-five feet or so, since it is generally desirable to clean this portion of the lane more often than the front portion. On the return or reverse movement of the stripper, no cleaning operations are undertaken but cleaner may be permitted to flow from the cleaner storage tank to the applicator so that the applicator will have sufficient cleaner in it for the beginning of application on the next lane. In an alternative embodiment, the applicator may be in the form of a spray nozzle to spray cleaner onto the lane. A distance wheel is provided which supplies digital signals to a control apparatus which sequences each operation at the appropriate position of the carriage along the bowling alley.

Combination bowling lane stripper and dressing apparatus

In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus is provided wherein cleaner is applied to all or a portion of the lane and the cleaner, oil and other residue is picked up by a vacuum head trailing the cleaner applicator in one trip from the foul line to the pit leaving the lane clean and dry. If desired, the cleaning operation can be limited to the last forty-five feet or so, since it is generally desirable to clean this portion of the lane more often than the front portion. On the return or reverse movement of the stripper, no cleaning operations are undertaken but cleaner may be permitted to flow from the cleaner storage tank to the applicator so that the applicator will have sufficient cleaner in it for the beginning of application on the next lane. Means is provided for bowing the vacuum head so that the center is lower than the side edges so that it conforms generally to the concave shape of a bowling alley. A waste tank is provided with appropriate baffles to separate the waste liquid and solids from an air stream created by a vacuum motor attached to the outlet of the waste tank.

An improved bowling lane stripping apparatus is disclosed of the type wherein the squeegee-equipped pickup head whose function it is to wipe the alley free of dirt-laden solvent is pivotally connected to the carriage carrying the power unit such that this head is free to raise up without gouging the lane surface as the carriage support wheels roll down the ramps leading into the gutters alongside the lane thereby causing the unit to tip forwardly. As a further improvement, the pickup head is so weighted and displaced forwardly of its pivotal connection to the carriage a distance chosen to cooperate with the weighted head and define a cantilevered mounting capable of maintaining the squeegee carried thereby in continuous wiping contact with the lane surface that thus becomes effective to remove even puddles and pools of liquid left in depressed areas of the latter.

Bowling lane vacuum with floating head

Bowling lane duster

This invention relates to a manual bowling lane stripping and dusting apparatus characterized by a frame journalling three rollers spaced one behind the other for independent relative rotation in parallel relation, the rear roller comprising a clutched supply roller for holding a supply of bowling lane dusting cloths, the front roller consisting of a ratcheted take-up roller for storing the soiled toweling or cloth dispensed from the supply roller, and an intermediate pressure roller offset beneath the other two and equipped with a cushioned surface tapered toward each end for pressing the portion of the cleaning web bridging the gap between the front and rear rollers into continuous area contact with the lane across the full width thereof.

Combination bowling lane stripper and duster

This invention relates to an improved control circuit for use with a magnetic clutch and a Brunswick automatic pinsetter for the purpose of shutting down the pin retrieval function performed by the latter during those intervals when it is not needed, such circuit being characterized by a pair of parallel direct current paths to the clutch magnet, one of which is effective to instantaneously actuate the pin retrieval operation whenever a ball has been rolled while, at the same time, energizing the thermal element in a branch path to the other circuit which element, once it becomes hot, is effective to establish the alternate path to the clutch and maintain the pin retrieval function operative for a brief time interval after both the pinsetter's rake-cycle and pin-storage cycles have been completed. The improved circuit also functions to actuate the pin retrieval function even though the thermal element malfunctions and thus fails to establish the alternate current path, the only loss in function being the brief period of continued pin retrieval after the pin-raking and pin-storage cycles have been completed. The invention also encompasses the novel method of controlling the pin retrieval functions of the pinsetter which includes the steps of actuating the latter immediately upon the occurrence of an event that presumably results in the presence of downed pins that must be retrieved and stored, simultaneously energizing a thermal element and using the latter to establish an alternate way of keeping the pin retrieval function operative for a brief time interval following completion of the pinsetter's pin-raking and pin-storage cycles.

Growing community of inventors

Boulder, CO, United States of America

Ronald L Smith