The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 03, 1987
Filed:
Nov. 29, 1984
Daniel R Speranza, Westerville, OH (US);
AMF Incorporated, White Plains, NY (US);
Abstract
A bowling ball return mechanism having a unitary frame structure which is mounted above a lifting track which curves upwards from the end of an underlane bowling ball return track up to the ball storage tray at the approach of the bowling alley. The unitary structure maintains the complete unit including a rotating tire with a compressable surface for positive engagement of an incoming bowling ball for movement up the lifting track, a rotating lifting belt which runs over the tire at one end and a crown pulley at the other for frictionally engaging the ball and moving it up the remaining length of the lifting track, an electric motor with a corresponding drive train for rotating the tire and the lifting belt, and a means for tensioning the lifting belt during its rotation. The unitary frame structure is pivotably mounted over the lifting track such that, upon engagement of the bowling ball by the tire, the structure will move away from its rest position and absorb the momentum of the moving ball. The weight of the mechanism causes a return pivot to the rest position while the tire and belt lift the bowling ball to the storage tray height.