US3899171A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bowling ball decelerator
Assignee: Albany International Corp
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Filing: 1974-06-17
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Granted: 1975-08-12
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Expires: 1994-06-17
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for decelerating bowling balls on ball return track systems by snubbing them with the aid of resilient leather belts under tension are widely used. The invention disclosed herein is of an improved apparatus for use in decelerating bowling balls on ball return track systems. The improvement comprises employing as the belt component, a resilient but stiff belt fabricated to offer greater frictional surface than prior art belts and having an inside arc smaller than the arc defined by the balls to be snubbed, thereby to grip the moving balls in a pincer-like grip. The improved apparatus of the invention is more efficient, requires less maintenance, has a longer life and offers economic advantages over prior art devices.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert C Haller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:02
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63D; A63D5/00; A63D5/02; A63D5/023; A63D5/026; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S273/00; Y10S273/06; Y10S273/08; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/909
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
In an apparatus for decelerating a bowling ball travelling on a ball return track system by snubbing the ball between a ball engaging surface and a tensioned belt member, the improvement which comprises: said belt member having a ball contacting surface which defines the inside arc of a circle having a circumference smaller than 26.704 inches when said belt is in its normal state; and which defines an arc conforming to the arc of a circle having a circumference of from 26.704 to 27.002 inches when functioning to snub said bowling ball; and wherein the improved belt member is an elastic, resilient, resin saturated textile belt.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
In an apparatus for decelerating a bowling ball travelling on a ball return track system by snubbing the ball between a ball engaging surface and a tensioned belt member, the improvement which comprises: said belt member having a ball contacting surface which defines the inside arc of a circle having a circumference smaller than 26.704 inches when said belt is in its normal state; and which defines an arc conforming to the arc of a circle having a circumference of from 26.704 to 27.002 inches when functioning to snub said bowling ball; and wherein the improved belt member is an elastic, resilient, resin saturated textile belt.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the improved belt member is fabricated of a nylon fabric, saturated with an elastomeric polyurethane resin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said resin saturated textile belt is fabricated from a textile which comprises; a base structure of woven synthetic material comprised of at least one filament to which there is needled a ball contacting surface layer comprising a web of synthetic fiber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the resin is an elastomeric polyurethane resin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said improved belt member is characterized in part by its having an elongation at 400 lbs (3 inch strip) of between about 1.0 and 3.0.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said improved belt member is characterized in part by a non-returnable elongation (after 1 minute/400 lbs. to 0 lbs.) of between about 0.01 percent to about 0.5 percent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
100 words
AN ARTICLE FOR SNUBBING ROUND, MOVING ARTICLES WHICH COMPRISES: A HARD SURFACED, RESILIENT TEXTILE FABRIC BODY WHICH COMPRISES: A. A BASE LAYER OF WOVEN SYNTHETIC MATERIAL COMPRISED OF AT LEAST ONE FILAMENT, B. A WEBB OF SYNTHETIC FIBER NEEDLLED TO SAID BASE LAYER, C. A POLYMERIC RESIN SATURANT, AND D. MEANS FOR ATTACHING SAID ARTICLE AT THE ENDS THEREOF TO A MOUNT, SAID ARTICLE HAVING A GENERALLY RECTANGULAR SHAPE, A THICKNESS LESS THAN ITS WIDTH ANDA PORTION WHICH FOLLOWS AN ARCUATE PATH FROM EDGE TO EDGE ACROSS ITS WIDTH, THE BASE LAYER BEING ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE ARCED PORTION.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
100 words
AN ARTICLE FOR SNUBBING ROUND, MOVING ARTICLES WHICH COMPRISES: A HARD SURFACED, RESILIENT TEXTILE FABRIC BODY WHICH COMPRISES: A. A BASE LAYER OF WOVEN SYNTHETIC MATERIAL COMPRISED OF AT LEAST ONE FILAMENT, B. A WEBB OF SYNTHETIC FIBER NEEDLLED TO SAID BASE LAYER, C. A POLYMERIC RESIN SATURANT, AND D. MEANS FOR ATTACHING SAID ARTICLE AT THE ENDS THEREOF TO A MOUNT, SAID ARTICLE HAVING A GENERALLY RECTANGULAR SHAPE, A THICKNESS LESS THAN ITS WIDTH ANDA PORTION WHICH FOLLOWS AN ARCUATE PATH FROM EDGE TO EDGE ACROSS ITS WIDTH, THE BASE LAYER BEING ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE ARCED PORTION.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-11 | 1979-02-10 | 1979-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-11 | 1983-02-10 | 1983-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-11 | 1987-02-10 | 1987-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |