US3790167A — Control system and cushion mount for bowling mach…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 224 words

A signal system for selectively initiating pinsetter bowling machine operations such as the cushion raising, automatic scorer and/or the cyclic pin clearing and setting operations thereof comprising a movably mounted pit cushion for said machine positioned for the reception of bowling balls and pins impacted thereagainst, a dashpot cylinder engaged to said pit cushion for absorbing the impact of balls and pins directed against said cushion whereby fluid pressures within said dashpot are changed with each impact, a switch element sensitive to fluid pressure differentials for the initiation of signals in response to said impacts, an auxiliary conduit communicating with a side of said dashpot subject to changed pressure influences by ball and pin impacts and with said pressure differential switch element whereby said switch is actuated by pressure differentials in said dashpot, a signal transmitting system connected to said pressure differential switch for the delivery of an operational signal to a bowling machine component for the actuation thereof, a time delay component for said signal transmitting system whereby an established time period is expended between reception of said pressure differential switch signal and the delivery of an operational signal to said bowling machine component, and a reset delay component in the signal transmitting system for interruption of the circuits thereof after an initial operational signal has been transmitted to said bowling machine component.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 224 words

A signal system for selectively initiating pinsetter bowling machine operations such as the cushion raising, automatic scorer and/or the cyclic pin clearing and setting operations thereof comprising a movably mounted pit cushion for said machine positioned for the reception of bowling balls and pins impacted thereagainst, a dashpot cylinder engaged to said pit cushion for absorbing the impact of balls and pins directed against said cushion whereby fluid pressures within said dashpot are changed with each impact, a switch element sensitive to fluid pressure differentials for the initiation of signals in response to said impacts, an auxiliary conduit communicating with a side of said dashpot subject to changed pressure influences by ball and pin impacts and with said pressure differential switch element whereby said switch is actuated by pressure differentials in said dashpot, a signal transmitting system connected to said pressure differential switch for the delivery of an operational signal to a bowling machine component for the actuation thereof, a time delay component for said signal transmitting system whereby an established time period is expended between reception of said pressure differential switch signal and the delivery of an operational signal to said bowling machine component, and a reset delay component in the signal transmitting system for interruption of the circuits thereof after an initial operational signal has been transmitted to said bowling machine component.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 76 words

Structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pinsetter bowling machine is inclusive of lane rake elements, such as a rake board, support arms therefor and rake latch components inclusive of a latch assembly for holding said rake board in elevated position, and further comprising a solenoid positioned adjacent said latch assembly and interconnected to said signal transmitting system whereby said solenoid is actuated by said operational signal for the release of said latch assembly.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 51 words

The mechanism as set forth in claim 2 wherein said reset delay is a gravity operated switch, said gravity operated switch being positioned on said lane rake elements for movement therewith to on and off positions as its associated lane rake element is moved to its alternate out-of-use or in-use positions.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 40 words

The mechanism as set forth in claim 3 wherein the pinsetter bowling machine is inclusive of a rotatable rake lift shaft with said gravity operated switch being moved to on and off positions as said rake lift shaft is rotated.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 42 words

The mechanism as set forth in claim 4 wherein said gravity operated switch is a mercury switch with the circuits therethrough closed when the lane rake elements are in raised position and open when the lane rake elements are in lowered position.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 37 words

Structure as set forth in claim 2 and further comprising linkage mechanisms interconnecting said rake elements and pit cushion for conjoint movement when the rake is lowered whereby said pit cushion is raised when the rake drops.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 59 words

Structure as set forth in claim 6 and further comprising non-moving pivot mounts for said pit cushion whereby the pit cushion moves rotatably with respect to said mounts and pinsetter, and an elastic element for the linkage mechanism interconnecting said rake elements and pit cushion whereby said pit cushion is raised pivotally about said pivot when said rake drops.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 43 words

Structure as set forth in claim 7 wherein the movement for said linkage mechanism is in excess of the moveMent pattern required for said pit cushion and wherein said elastic element is inclusive of a cable and spring combination to compensate for overtravel.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 38 words

Structure as set forth in claim 8 wherein said pinsetter bowling machine components are inclusive of a pivotally mounted triangle plate connected to said linkage mechanism and wherein said elastic element interconnects said triangle plate and pit cushion.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 95 words

Structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said dashpot installation is an air cylinder and further comprising an orifice passage exhausting to atmosphere from the same side of said dashpot as said auxiliary conduit, regulator means for changing the flow through said orifice to regulate the flow rate for said dashpot, and atmospheric exhaust means intercommunicating with the flow passage through said auxiliary conduit at a position ahead of the point of transmission to said pressure differential switch for the protection of said switch from excess pressure differential influences resulting from heavy ball impacts.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 50 words

Structure as set forth in claim 10 wherein said atmospheric exhaust means is a Tee fitting connected in said auxiliary conduit ahead of said pressure differential switch and wherein the flow passage of said Tee communicating to atmosphere is of size as large as the flow passage to said switch.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1977-02-04	1977-08-06	1978-02-05	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1981-02-04	1981-08-06	1982-02-05	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1985-02-04	1985-08-06	1986-02-05	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Control system and cushion mount for bowling machines

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