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US4607843A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Automatic bowling position indicator
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-05-14
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Granted: 1986-08-26
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Expires: 2004-05-14
Abstract
Abstract The Automatic Bowling Position Indicator (ABPI) of the present invention provides assistance to a bowler in order to achieve better scores by helping him to position himself on the approach. The positioning is dependent on variables such as whether the bowler is right or left handed, bowls a straight or hook ball, and the pins left standing. The invention assists the bowler directly in the area where the bowler makes his approach by providing a lighted indication of where to place his feet and by providing a lighted place over which the ball should pass. In addition, a group or team of bowlers is able to enter their bowling characteristics and have the present invention automatically advance and operate, thereby providing assistance throughout the game without further intervention.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward J. Signoretti
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 12:17
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63D; A63D5/00; A63D5/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
An automatic bowling position indicator for a bowling lane comprising: means for indicating the position of bowling pins on the lane; means for entering bowling characteristics of at least one bowler, the bowling characteristics for each bowler including the throwing hand of the bowler and whether the bowler bowls a straight or hook ball; processing means, responsive to said pin position indicating means and said characteristic entering means, for determining a foot position for an individual bowler and for determining a place on the lane over which a bowling ball should pass, in response to the bowling characteristics entered; first lighting means positioned on the surface of said bowling lane for automatically indicating the foot position of the individual bowler, said first lighting means including two rows of lights disposed behind a foul line of said bowling lane; and second lighting means positioned on the surface of said bowling lane for automatically indicating the place over which the bowling ball should pass, said second lighting means including a plurality of lights disposed forward of said first lighting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
An automatic bowling position indicator for a bowling lane comprising: means for indicating the position of bowling pins on the lane; means for entering bowling characteristics of at least one bowler, the bowling characteristics for each bowler including the throwing hand of the bowler and whether the bowler bowls a straight or hook ball; processing means, responsive to said pin position indicating means and said characteristic entering means, for determining a foot position for an individual bowler and for determining a place on the lane over which a bowling ball should pass, in response to the bowling characteristics entered; first lighting means positioned on the surface of said bowling lane for automatically indicating the foot position of the individual bowler, said first lighting means including two rows of lights disposed behind a foul line of said bowling lane; and second lighting means positioned on the surface of said bowling lane for automatically indicating the place over which the bowling ball should pass, said second lighting means including a plurality of lights disposed forward of said first lighting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said processing means is capable of automatically sequencing through a plurality of bowlers having particular bowling characteristics.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said entering means includes a keyboard and a plurality of lights for displaying the bowling characteristics of the bowlers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 which further includes a digital display for identifying an individual bowler.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said processing means includes mixing means for selecting lights to be lighted in said first and second lighting means, said mixing means including memory means for storing data indicative of the lights to be lighted.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the lights in said first lighting means include a semi-circular shape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the lights in said second lighting means include an arrow shape.
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) | 1989-08-25 | 1990-02-24 | 1990-08-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-08-25 | 1994-02-24 | 1994-08-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-08-25 | 1998-02-24 | 1998-08-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |