US4035931A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interchangeable lane bowling calculator
Assignee: ROBERT R BURGER JR 9625 JUSTIN PLACE RIVER RIDGE LOUISIANA 70123
•
Filing: 1976-10-20
•
Granted: 1977-07-19
•
Expires: 1996-10-20
Abstract
Abstract An improved form of bowling calculator which allows for interposition of either of two covers upon a main frame that carries bowling lane indicia. Each of the interchangeable covers includes an elastic member extending longitudinally within the cover with a plurality of adjustment means spaced along its length. Each cover is freely positionable upon the main frame by an access opening which fits over a registration pin extending upwardly from the surface of the main frame. With this improved device, a characteristic ball curvature may be defined for each of two distinct bowling lanes by individual adjustments of the elastic member within each of the covers, thereafter each cover may be interchanged upon the main frame as two bowling lanes are being used, for example as in tournament play. The present device allows the bowler to determine lane spots for each of two separate alleys, and adjust the elastic member on each of two covers so that he may more accurately determine a spot for each of two bowling lanes by reference to the habitual curvature the bowler has discovered for each of two bowling lanes.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles H. Burger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:50
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63D; A63D5/00; A63B; A63B69/00; A63B69/0046
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
259 words
An interchangeable lane bowling calculator device, comprising in combination: A. an elongate main frame having an upper surface, with bowling lane indicia visible upon said upper surface, said indicia including a transverse foul line, and including a plurality of lane spots and a plurality of bowling pin positions both spaced longitudinally and transversely across said upper surface, wherein said foul line, lane spots and pin positions are respectively spaced longitudinally along said upper surface, a registration pin extending upwardly from said upper surface at a longitudinal position between said lane spots and said pin positions, and; B. a first optically transparent elongate and box-like cover assembly adapted to be placed upon said upper surface, and including a recess on the underside of said cover adapted to receive said registration pin and allow for movement of said cover both longitudinally and transversely with respect to said main frame, and; C. a second optically transparent elongate and box-like cover assembly adapted to be placed upon said upper surface, said second cover also including a recess as defined for said first elongate cover, and; D. an elastic member extending longitudinally within each of said first and second elongate covers, said elastic member having a means for transverse position adjustment at a plurality of points spaced along its longitudinal extent, whereby a characteristic ball curvature may be defined for each of two distinct bowling lanes by separate adjustment of the elastic member within each of said covers, and said covers may be interchanged upon said elongate main frame carrying said bowling lane indicia.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
259 words
An interchangeable lane bowling calculator device, comprising in combination: A. an elongate main frame having an upper surface, with bowling lane indicia visible upon said upper surface, said indicia including a transverse foul line, and including a plurality of lane spots and a plurality of bowling pin positions both spaced longitudinally and transversely across said upper surface, wherein said foul line, lane spots and pin positions are respectively spaced longitudinally along said upper surface, a registration pin extending upwardly from said upper surface at a longitudinal position between said lane spots and said pin positions, and; B. a first optically transparent elongate and box-like cover assembly adapted to be placed upon said upper surface, and including a recess on the underside of said cover adapted to receive said registration pin and allow for movement of said cover both longitudinally and transversely with respect to said main frame, and; C. a second optically transparent elongate and box-like cover assembly adapted to be placed upon said upper surface, said second cover also including a recess as defined for said first elongate cover, and; D. an elastic member extending longitudinally within each of said first and second elongate covers, said elastic member having a means for transverse position adjustment at a plurality of points spaced along its longitudinal extent, whereby a characteristic ball curvature may be defined for each of two distinct bowling lanes by separate adjustment of the elastic member within each of said covers, and said covers may be interchanged upon said elongate main frame carrying said bowling lane indicia.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
An interchangeable lane bowling calculator device as in claim 1, wherein said registration pin is substantially a right circular cylinder and each of said recesses is of a cylindrical configuration with a diameter greater than the diameter of said registration pin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
An interchangeable lane bowling calculator device as in claim 1, wherein said elastic member transverse adjustment means comprises a first transverse screw proximate said foul line position, a second transverse screw proximate said lane spots, and a third transverse screw between said registration pin and bowling pin positions, wherein said elastic member is respectively attached to nuts adapted for transverse position adjustment upon each of said transverse screws.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
An interchangeable lane bowling calculator device as in claim 3, wherein each of said elastic member transverse adjustment means further includes a first transverse slide attached to a proximate end of said elastic member and a second transverse slide fixed to a distal end of said elastic member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
An interchangeable lane bowling calculator device as in claim 4, wherein each of said first slides is proximate a first end of each of said elongate covers, and each of said second slides is proximate a second end of each of said elongate covers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
An interchangeable lane bowling calculator device as in claim 3, wherein said first elongate cover includes adjustment handles for each of said transverse screws on one side thereof, and said second elongate cover includes adjustment handles for each of said transverse screws on a side relatively opposite to said handles on said first cover.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
An interchangeable lane bowling calculator device as in claim 1, wherein said elongate main frame further comprises an upper surface of optically transparent material and said bowling lane indicia is printed upon a longitudinally extending and optically opaque material spaced below and parallel to said upper surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
An interchangeable lane bowling calculator device as in claim 7, wherein said optically transparent first surface and each said optically transparent covers are comprised of a transparent plastic.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
An interchangeable lane bowling calculator device as in claim 1, wherein said elongate main frame further comprises a bottom surface with bowling lane indicia visible thereupon and a second registration pin as defined for said upper surface, wherein said first and second transparent elongate covers are adapted to be placed enterchangeably upon either said upper surface or said bottom surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
An interchangeable lane bowling calculator device as in claim 9, wherein said top and bottom surfaces are further comprised of optically transparent material and are separated by a longitudinally extending and optically opaque material, said opaque material being mutually parallel to said top and bottom surfaces and printed on each of its relatively upper and lower sides with said bowling lane indicia.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2942358A
Cited
US2989810A
Cited
US3012339A
Cited
US3279097A
Cited
US3284928A
Cited
US3455032A
Cited
US3995377A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-07-18 | 1981-01-17 | 1981-07-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-07-18 | 1985-01-17 | 1985-07-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-07-18 | 1989-01-17 | 1989-07-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |