Controller for automatic pinsetter

Claim 2

In an automatic bowling pinsetter having a pin distribution system powered by an electric motor, a clutch means connected to said motor, a raisable and lowerable means of said pin distribution system to receive bowling pins and set same on a bowling lane, a controller therein and therewith, comprising: a. a first switch means mounted with said pinsetter operable by motion of said raisable and lowerable means and electrically connected to said motor, and b. second switch means mounted with said pinsetter operable by motion of said clutch means and electrically connected in parallel relation to said first switch means, said motor being controlled by said first switch means and said second switch means, said motor being operable when either said first switch means or said second switch means are in a closed relation, said motor being not operable when both said first switch means and said second switch means are in open relation, said raisable and lowerable means and said clutch means having operating cycles such as to maintain one or the other of said switch means closed only for a sufficient period of time during the cycling of the pin distribution system to enable the pin distribution system to perform the pin handling operations required of it.

Claim 3

The controller of claim 1, wherein: a. said clutch means has an actuator means therefor, and b. said second switch means has an actuator means contactable by said clutch means being closable when said clutch actuator means engages said clutch means.

Claim 4

The controller of claim 2, wherein: a. said pin distribution system has an interlock means operably coupled with said raisable and lowerable means, and b. said first switch means has an actuator means contactable by said interlock means, said second switch means being closable when said raisable and lowerable means lowers to set new pins.

Claim 5

The controller of claim 3, wherein, said controller has a relay means connected to said first switch means, said second switch means, and said motor, said relay means being closable to electrically connect said motor to a source of electrical power when either said first switch means or said second switch means are closed and said relay means being openable to electrically disconnect said motor from said power source when said first switch means and said second switch means are open.

Claim 6

The controller of claim 4, wherein: a. said clutch actuator means has a clutch plunger lever movably mounted and movable between a first position when said clutch means is disengaged and a second position when said clutch means is engaged, b. said second switch means actuator meAns has an arm member contactable with said plunger lever member when said plunger lever member is in said first position to open said second switch means, c. said interlock system has a shaft movably mounted with a deck frame means of said raisable and lowerable portion, movable between a first position when said raisable and lowerable means is in a raised position and a second position when said raisable and lowerable means is in a lowered position, d. said first switch means has a lever member rigidly mounted on said shaft, and e. said first switch means actuator means is contactable with said lever member when said shaft is in said first position to open said first switch means.

Claim 7

The controller of claim 5, wherein: a. said controller has a bypass switch means electrically connected in a parallel relation to said first switch means and said second switch means, said bypass switch means being normally open and being manually closable to actuate said relay means for electrically connecting said motor with said source of electrical power independently of said first switch means and said second switch means, and b. said controller is removably connectable with said motor and said electrical power source.

Claim 8

In an automatic bowling pinsetter having a pin distribution system powered by an electric motor, a clutch means connected to said motor, a raisable and lowerable means of said pin distribution system to receive bowling pins and set same on a bowling lane, a controller therein and therewith, comprising: a. a first switch means mounted with said pinsetter operable by motion of said raisable and lowerable means and electrically connected to said motor, b. second switch means mounted with said pinsetter operable by motion of said clutch means and elctrically connected in parallel relation to said first switch means, and c. a delay relay means electrically connected to said second switch means and said motor, said motor being controlled by said first switch means and said second switch means, said motor being operable when either said first switch means or said second switch means are in a closed relation, said delay relay means being operable to electrically connect said motor with a source of electrical power for a predetermined and certain time after said second switch means is closed, said raisable and lowerable means and said clutch means having operating cycles such as to maintain one or the other of said switch means closed only for a sufficient period of time, including said predetermined and certain time, during the cycling of the pin distribution system to enable the pin distribution system to perform the pin handling operations required of it.

Claim 9

In an automatic bowling pinsetter having a pin distribution system powered by an electric motor, a clutch means connected to said motor, a raisable and lowerable means of said pin distribution system to receive bowling pins and set same on a bowling lane, a controller therein and therewith, comprising: a. a first switch means mounted with said pinsetter operable by motion of said raisable and lowerable means and electrically connected to said motor, b. second switch means mounted with said pinsetter operable by motion of said clutch means and elctrically connected in parallel relation to said first switch means, and c. a delay relay means electrically connected to said second switch means and said motor, said motor being controlled by said first switch means and said second switch means, said motor being operable when either said first switch means or said second switch means are in a closed relation, said delay relay means being operable to electrically connect said motor with a source of electrical power for a predetermined and certain time after said second switch means is closed, said raisable and lowerable means and said clutch means having operating cycles such as to maintain one or the other of said switch means closed only for a sufficient period of time, including said predetermined and certain time, during the cycling of the pin distribution system to enable the pin distribution system to perform the pin handling operations required of it.

Claim 10

The controller of claim 7, wherein: a. said clutch means has an actuator means therefor, and b. said second switch means has an actuator means contactable by said clutch means being closable when said clutch actuator means engages said clutch means.

Claim 11

The controller of claim 8, wherein: a. said pin distribution system has an interlock means operably coupled with said raisable and lowerable means, and b. said first switch means has an actuator means contactable by said interlock means, said second switch means being closable when said raisable and lowerable means lowers to set pins.

Claim 12

The controller of claim 9, wherein: a. said controller has a relay means connected to said first switch means, said second switch means, and said motor, said relay means being closable to electrically connect said motor to a power source when either said first switch means or said second switch means are closed and said relay means being openable to electrically disconnect said motor from said power source when said first switch means and said second switch means are open, and b. said delay relay means has a timer means with a timer switch means, said timer means is electrically connected with said second switch means and startable when sAid second switch means is in use closed, said timer switch means is electrically connected with said source of electrical power and said relay means, said timer switch means being closable upon starting of said timer means and openable at the end of said predetermined certain time.

Claim 13

The controller of claim 10, wherein: a. said clutch actuator means has a clutch plunger lever movably mounted with said pinsetter and movable between a first position when said clutch means is disengaged and a second position when said clutch means is engaged, b. said second switch means actuator means has an arm member contactable with said plunger lever member when said plunger lever member is in said first position to open said second switch means, c. said interlock system has a shaft movably mounted with a deck frame portion of said raisable and lowerable means, movable between a first position when said raisable and lowerable means is in a raised position and a second position when said raisable and lowerable means is in a lowered position, d. said first switch means has a lever member rigidly mounted on said shaft, e. said first switch means actuator means is contactable with said lever member when said shaft is in said first position to open said first switch means, f. said timer has a motor with a cam mounted on its output shaft, said cam having an offset portion, and g. said timer switch means has a cam follower contacting said cam, said timer switch means being openable in use when said cam follower contacts said offset portion of said cam.

Claim 14

The controller of claim 11, wherein: a. said controller has a bypass switch means electrically connected in a parallel relation to said first switch means and said second switch means, said bypass switch means being normally open and being manually closable to actuate said relay means for electrically connecting said motor with said source of electrical power independently of said first switch means and said second switch means, and b. said controller is removably connectable with said motor and said electrical power source.