US3743290A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Foul detecting system for a bowling game
Assignee: Brunswick Corp
•
Filing: 1971-09-20
•
Granted: 1973-07-03
•
Expires: 1991-09-20
Abstract
Abstract An improved bowling foul detecting system including twin retroreflective photoelectric detection systems integrated within a single housing and activated by a single light source, visual and audio alarms, and a control circuit including an 80 ms timer to distinguish ball passage, related timer circuits utilizing electronic flip-flops and programmed unijunction transistors, and incorporating SCR and triac power switching elements to control the alarms.
Inventors
- 👤 I Zachev
- 👤 W Crimmins
- 👤 P Murphy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 15:04
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63D; A63D1/00; A63D1/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
343 words
A bowling foul detecting and indicating device comprising: means for projecting a light beam along a foul line of a bowling lane, means for reflecting said light beam back to said projection means, means for detecting an interruption of said reflected light beam, and means responsive to said detecting means for signaling a foul when the interruption of said reflected light beam exceeds a preselected time period, including a foul signaling device, a first timer means for determining if the interruption of said reflected light beam exceeds a preselected time period containing a first RC time constant circuiT charged by the detection means having an output and a first programmed unijunction transistor means for providing a first timer output signal when the first unijunction transistor conducts and means for programming said first unijunction transistor to conduct when the output voltage of said RC timer circuit attains a preselected voltage level, and means responsive to said first timer means output signal for actuating said foul signaling device, including a second timer means responsive to said first timer means for deactivating said foul signaling means at the expiration of a second preselected time period, said second timer means including an electronic set-reset device having a set and a reset side, said set side being connected to the output of said first programmed unijunction transistor, a second RC time constant circuit connected to a first terminal on the reset side of said set-reset device, a transistor having an emitter connected to a second terminal on said rest side and a collector connected to ground, and a second programmed unijunction transistor and means for programming the same, said second programmed unijunction transistor having an emitter connected to the output of said second RC time constant circuit and a collector connected to the base of said transistor, whereby the second terminal on the reset side of said set-reset device will be connected to ground when the output of said second RC time constant circuit attains a voltage level predetermined by said programming means for said second unijunction transistor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
343 words
A bowling foul detecting and indicating device comprising: means for projecting a light beam along a foul line of a bowling lane, means for reflecting said light beam back to said projection means, means for detecting an interruption of said reflected light beam, and means responsive to said detecting means for signaling a foul when the interruption of said reflected light beam exceeds a preselected time period, including a foul signaling device, a first timer means for determining if the interruption of said reflected light beam exceeds a preselected time period containing a first RC time constant circuiT charged by the detection means having an output and a first programmed unijunction transistor means for providing a first timer output signal when the first unijunction transistor conducts and means for programming said first unijunction transistor to conduct when the output voltage of said RC timer circuit attains a preselected voltage level, and means responsive to said first timer means output signal for actuating said foul signaling device, including a second timer means responsive to said first timer means for deactivating said foul signaling means at the expiration of a second preselected time period, said second timer means including an electronic set-reset device having a set and a reset side, said set side being connected to the output of said first programmed unijunction transistor, a second RC time constant circuit connected to a first terminal on the reset side of said set-reset device, a transistor having an emitter connected to a second terminal on said rest side and a collector connected to ground, and a second programmed unijunction transistor and means for programming the same, said second programmed unijunction transistor having an emitter connected to the output of said second RC time constant circuit and a collector connected to the base of said transistor, whereby the second terminal on the reset side of said set-reset device will be connected to ground when the output of said second RC time constant circuit attains a voltage level predetermined by said programming means for said second unijunction transistor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
78 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said means responsive to said first timer means for activating said foul signaling device comprises an SCR having an emitter and collector connected in series with an AC line power supply and said foul signaling device and a gate connected to the first terminal on the reset side of said set-reset device, whereby half wave line power will be supplied to said foul signaling device when said SCR is biased to conduct.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
89 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said means responsive to said first timer means for activating said foul signaling device comprises a second transistor and a triac, the emitter of said second transistor being connected to said DC power supply, the collector to the common gate of said triac and the base to the first terminal on the reset side of said set-reset device, so that full wave line power will be supplied to said foul signaling device whenever said second transistor and said triac are biased to conduct.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2039604A
Cited
GB952296A
Cited
US3170689A
Cited
US3307848A
Cited
US3369810A
Cited
US3629594A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-02 | 1977-01-01 | 1977-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-02 | 1981-01-01 | 1981-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-02 | 1985-01-01 | 1985-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |