US3703288A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic bowling game
Assignee: Meritor Inc
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Filing: 1969-10-22
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Granted: 1972-11-21
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Expires: 1989-10-22
Abstract
Abstract A bowling game formed by a platform having a plurality of switches mounted therebelow with actuators extending upwardly through the surface of the platform. Ten lights are arranged on the surface of the platform in a configuration similar to that of a conventional bowling game, and a disc is used for sliding along the platform to actuate the switches which are connected to turn off the lights. Eight switches are used and they control the ten lights by means of logic circuitry which interconnects the switches with the lights. The game also includes a second series of lights including a ready light, a ''''ball'''' light for indicating whether it is ''''ball one'''' or ''''ball two'''' which will be thrown, a strike light, and a spare light. Circuits for controlling these lights together with a reset circuit are interconnected with the switches, the logic circuitry and the pin lights so that the game is electronically controlled. Circuitry is included to prevent actuation of the logic circuitry when the platform is subject to physical shock and to prevent actuation of the switches when the disc is returned along the platform to a player.
Inventors
- 👤 John D Vogel
- 👤 William N Canfield
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:03
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F7/00; A63F7/0058
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
A bowling game having electronically controlled scoring means, comprising a disc for sliding movement to actuate the scoring means, a platform forming a simulated bowling alley having a player end and a scoring end, said scoring end having means for returning discs to the player end along said platform 10 lights mounted with relation to said platform in a triangularshaped configuration, and a corresponding plurality of solid state switching circuits connected to said lights for controlling the operation thereof; a plurality of electrical switches, each having actuating means, said actuating means being mounted with relation to said platform for actuation by movement of said disc along said platform; a plurality of solid state logic circuits coupled between said electrical switches and said solid state switching circuits, said plurality of electrical switches being fewer than 10; said logic circuits being operatively responsive to actuation of said switches by said disc To actuate said switching circuits and; solid state circuit means making said logic circuits non-responsive to actuation of said switches by said disc as said disc is returned to said player end of said platform by said disc return means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
A bowling game having electronically controlled scoring means, comprising a disc for sliding movement to actuate the scoring means, a platform forming a simulated bowling alley having a player end and a scoring end, said scoring end having means for returning discs to the player end along said platform 10 lights mounted with relation to said platform in a triangularshaped configuration, and a corresponding plurality of solid state switching circuits connected to said lights for controlling the operation thereof; a plurality of electrical switches, each having actuating means, said actuating means being mounted with relation to said platform for actuation by movement of said disc along said platform; a plurality of solid state logic circuits coupled between said electrical switches and said solid state switching circuits, said plurality of electrical switches being fewer than 10; said logic circuits being operatively responsive to actuation of said switches by said disc To actuate said switching circuits and; solid state circuit means making said logic circuits non-responsive to actuation of said switches by said disc as said disc is returned to said player end of said platform by said disc return means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
189 words
A bowling game having electronically controlled scoring means, comprising a disc for sliding movement to actuate the scoring means, a platform forming a simulated bowling alley having a player end and a scoring end, said scoring end having means for returning discs to the player end along said platform 10 lights mounted with relation to said platform in a triangular-shaped configuration, and a corresponding plurality of solid state switching circuits connected to said lights for controlling the operation thereof; a plurality of electrical switches, each having actuating means, said actuating means being mounted with relation to said platform for actuation by movement of said disc along said platform; a plurality of solid state logic circuits coupled between said electrical switches and said solid state switching circuits, said plurality of electrical switches being fewer than 10; said logic circuits being operatively responsive to actuation of said switches by said disc To actuate said switching circuits and; solid state circuit means making said logic circuits non-responsive to actuation of said switches by said disc as said disc is returned to said player end of said platform by said disc return means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
189 words
A bowling game having electronically controlled scoring means, comprising a disc for sliding movement to actuate the scoring means, a platform forming a simulated bowling alley having a player end and a scoring end, said scoring end having means for returning discs to the player end along said platform 10 lights mounted with relation to said platform in a triangular-shaped configuration, and a corresponding plurality of solid state switching circuits connected to said lights for controlling the operation thereof; a plurality of electrical switches, each having actuating means, said actuating means being mounted with relation to said platform for actuation by movement of said disc along said platform; a plurality of solid state logic circuits coupled between said electrical switches and said solid state switching circuits, said plurality of electrical switches being fewer than 10; said logic circuits being operatively responsive to actuation of said switches by said disc To actuate said switching circuits and; solid state circuit means making said logic circuits non-responsive to actuation of said switches by said disc as said disc is returned to said player end of said platform by said disc return means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 in which said triangular configuration of lights are mounted in said platform, thereby forming a target for the slidable disc.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
117 words
The invention as set forth in claim 2 with the addition of a spare indicator light and a solid state control circuit therefor, and a strike indicator light and a solid state control circuit therefor, said solid state spare light control circuit being coupled to said solid state switching circuits for operating said spare indicator light when all of the alley lights are turned off in two consecutive actuations of said electrical switches by the disc, and said solid state strike light control circuit being coupled to said solid state switching circuits for operating said strike light when all of said alley lights are turned off by a single actuation of said electrical switches by the disc.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention as set forth in claim 3, including circuit means for preventing actuation of said solid state logic circuits when said platform is subjected to a physical shock.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein there are eight of said electrical switches for controlling operation of said lights and including circuit means for preventing actuation of said solid state logic circuits when said platform is subjected to a physical shock.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lights correspond to the 10 pins of an actual bowling alley and are mounted in said platform, thereby forming a target for said slidable disc; and, in which there are eight of said electrical switches, all having mechanical actuators mounted in said platform and projecting thereabove for actuation by said slidable disc.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 with the addition of circuit means for preventing actuation of said solid state logic circuits when said platform is subjected to a physical shock.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
330 words
A bowling game having electronically controlled scoring means, comprising a disc for sliding movement to actuate the scoring means, a platform forming a simulated bowling alley having a player end and a scoring end, said scoring end having means for returning discs to the player end along said platform; 10 lights mounted with relation to said platform in a triangular-shaped configuration, and ten corresponding solid state switching circuits connected to said lights for controlling the operation thereof; a plurality of electrical switches, each having actuating means, said actuating means being mounted with relation to said platform for actuation by movement of the disc along said platform; a plurality of solid state logic circuits coupled between said electrical switches and said solid state switching circuits, said plurality of solid state logic circuits being fewer than said 10 lights; said logic circuits being operatively responsive to actuation of said switches by said disc to actuate said switching circuits; solid state circuit means making said logic circuits non-responsive to actuation of said switches by said disc as said disc is returned to said player end of said platform by said disc return means; a spare indicator light and a solid state control circuit therefor, a strike indicator light and a solid state control circuit therefor, said solid state spare light control circuit being coupled to said solid state switching circuits for operating said spare indicator light when all of the alley lights are turned off in two consecutive actuations of said electrical switches by the disc, and said solid state strike light control circuit being coupled to said solid state switching circuits for operating said strike light when all of said alley lights are turned off by a single actuation of said electrical switches by the disc; said switching circuits beIng coupled to said logic circuits for operatively turning off said lights, and a solid state reset circuit coupled to said switching circuits and said logic circuits for operatively turning on said lights.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
330 words
A bowling game having electronically controlled scoring means, comprising a disc for sliding movement to actuate the scoring means, a platform forming a simulated bowling alley having a player end and a scoring end, said scoring end having means for returning discs to the player end along said platform; 10 lights mounted with relation to said platform in a triangular-shaped configuration, and ten corresponding solid state switching circuits connected to said lights for controlling the operation thereof; a plurality of electrical switches, each having actuating means, said actuating means being mounted with relation to said platform for actuation by movement of the disc along said platform; a plurality of solid state logic circuits coupled between said electrical switches and said solid state switching circuits, said plurality of solid state logic circuits being fewer than said 10 lights; said logic circuits being operatively responsive to actuation of said switches by said disc to actuate said switching circuits; solid state circuit means making said logic circuits non-responsive to actuation of said switches by said disc as said disc is returned to said player end of said platform by said disc return means; a spare indicator light and a solid state control circuit therefor, a strike indicator light and a solid state control circuit therefor, said solid state spare light control circuit being coupled to said solid state switching circuits for operating said spare indicator light when all of the alley lights are turned off in two consecutive actuations of said electrical switches by the disc, and said solid state strike light control circuit being coupled to said solid state switching circuits for operating said strike light when all of said alley lights are turned off by a single actuation of said electrical switches by the disc; said switching circuits beIng coupled to said logic circuits for operatively turning off said lights, and a solid state reset circuit coupled to said switching circuits and said logic circuits for operatively turning on said lights.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-11-21 | 1976-05-22 | 1976-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-21 | 1980-05-22 | 1980-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-21 | 1984-05-22 | 1984-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |