Automatic pinsetter trigger and control system

Abstract

An automatic pin setter includes a pinsetting deck structure movable toward and away from a pin supporting surface on a bowling lane for controlling setting of bowling pins on the lane supporting surface. A rake sweeps pins from the lanes. A rake up switch senses if the rake is in a raised position. A drive system is operatively coupled to the deck structure and rake and includes a cycle solenoid, the drive system for controlling an automatic pin setter cycle in response to energization of the solenoid. The pinsetter cycle controls movement of the deck structure and the rake to selectively remove or set pins on the lane. A pit cushion is positioned at a rear end of the lane and is linked to the rake to lower the rake from the raised position when a thrown ball strikes the pit cushion. A control comprises a ball sensor mounted on the lane before the pit cushion for sensing presence of a ball on the lane and developing an electrical trigger signal in response thereto. A ball selector selects if a thrown ball is a first or second ball thrown in a bowling frame. A pin setter trigger control is electrically connected to the rake up switch, the ball sensor, the ball selector and the cycle solenoid. The trigger control includes a trigger mode for automatically energizing the cycle solenoid to initiate a pinsetter cycle after either the rake up switch senses that the rake is not in the raised position or the ball sensor has sensed presence of a ball on the lane. A time delay delays operation of the trigger mode if the ball is the first ball thrown.