US2890886A - Bowling pin spotting machine control mechanism - Google Patents

Description

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 R. E. DUMAS n* www,

BOWLING PIN SPOTTING MACHINE CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Feb. 24, 1954 June 16, 1959 mvx-:n o

ROGER E. DUMAS O N@ di NRM, Q30

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ATTQRN EY R. E. DUMAS June 16, 1959 BOWLING PIN SIPOTTING MACHINE CONTROL MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 24, 1954 RMN M.

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INVENTM ROGER E. DUMAS MV ATTORNEY R. E. DUMAS 2,890,886

A 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 16, 1959 BOWLING PINSPOTTING MACHINE CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Feb. 24, 1954 QN www NSN. NNNN u C. .QE

June 16, 1959 R. E. DUMAS 2,890,886

BOWLING PIN SPOTTING MACHINE CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Feb. 24. 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 mw i WNQ ,SMQ UNQ QN@ NG PQ www ,www

JQ@ TW Nw@ NNQ INVENTR ROGER E. DUMAS ATTORNEY nited States Patent BOWLING PIN SPOTTING MACHINE CONTROL `MECHANISM Roger E. Dumas, Snyder, `N.Y., assignor to American l/Iachine & Foundry Company, a corporation of New C ersey Application February 24, 1954, Serial No. 412,187

11 Claims. (Cl. 273-443) This invention relates to bowling pin spotting machines, and more particularly toibowling pin spotting machines for automatically spotting and respotting bowling pins upon the playing bed of a bowling alley, and to an improved control system "for controlling the `automatic and sequential operation or" the ceac-ting mechanisms of an automatic bowling pin `spotting machine under all conditions of play.

In accordance with the invention, my improved lapparatus consists in a bowling pin spotting machine having apparatus for removing pins from the pit of a bowling alley and delivering them to a distributor which in turn conveys them in `succession to a pin `spotting device wherein pins are held in substantially triangular arrangement 'for placement on the playing bed of an alley. The machine also `includes a sweep device having its operation controlled in such manner that it is actuated at proper times during the play of the game to sweep deadwood and unwanted pins from 4the `alleyinto the pit for delivery to the apparatus mentioned above. The machine also includes devices for lifting and respotting pins standing upon an alley in the position each occupied before being lifted after the rolling of the iirst ball of a frame, in order that the sweep device may remove deadwood or fallen pins, after which the lifted pins are respotted in `the ,position `each occupied prior to being lifted above the alley pending -further play.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided an improved automatic control apparatus for operating the bowling pin spotting machine of which it forms a part under all conditions of play such that 4pins are `spotted and respotted for frame to frame play as ythe game proceeds. The invention includes an electrical control apparatushaving mechanisms associated therewith which selectively operate the several interconnected units of the machine -in order to `feed pins from the elevating mechanism to the distributorand the pin spotting units. The invention also includes selectively `actuated control mechanism for eifecting theproperspotting and respotting of pin-s in -a normaltwo ball frame, or after a spare is made, and after a strike is made, thereby `causing the pin setting device to place a new set of pins on the alley bed pending the throwing of the irst ball of the next frame, and also to causethe spotting mechanism to place a. new setoflpins onfthe alley if a foul is made on the iirst ball.

In accordance with `the invention, there is provided a machine cycling `system which uses a` programcontrol having means for effecting one normal iirst ball and two normal second ball cycles. For normal play, the rst occurring second'ball cycle is by-passed or skipped. If a foul is made or occurs onthe rollingof the first ball, the rst ball cycle isby-pa'ssed and two second ball cycles are executed in succession. It a strike is made, only the last second ball cycle isexecuted. This arrangement of cycles permits all possible combinations .of cycles occurring in a tenpin bowling game to be handled by one control element, i.e. a multiposition switching relay.

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Thus my novel control system is simple in construction, eliicient and rapid in operation.

lt is an object of the invention to provide a novel control mechanism for a bowling pin spotting `machine having a multi-position switching 'relay which eiectsthe non-repetitive sequences of the basic operating cycles required for playing the game. )i

The invention consists in the provision of a bowling pin spotting machine having a novelcontrol system 4which allows a repetitive type of control mechanism to be used in a non-repetitive sequence of four basicicyclesrequired in the playing of the game.

The invention also consists in a novel controllsystem fora bowling pin spotting machine wherein stoppage of `the machine because of `power failure does `not vaiiect the phase or `cycle `of operation of the machine, or any cycle thereof because of the provision `of novel control mechanism `which makes possible `the resumption 'of operation of the machine in its correct cycle when i power is restored.

The invention also consists in 'a bowling pin spotting machine havingnovel control mechanism which enables the machine to operate under all conditions ofplay in accordance with a built-in program system.

A further object of the invention is the provision of means for preventing damage to the machine, and especially the pin `respotting `units thereof `in the event that pins have moved too far olf-spot, or parts of the respotting units are not properly positioned at vthe beginning of a respotting cycle.

A further object of the invention is'the-'provisionof a stepper relay which permits one manually controlled switch in the operating circuit to `reset the machine ready for a first ball condition. This is eected by the provision of one set of `contacts which when closed, causes a self-cycling of the lmachine to a condition ready for a first ball of a frame.

The invention also consists in a `novel control mechanism `provided with a master Acontrol element which makes possible the reduction `in the number `of control cams onthe shaft `which operatesthepin` spotterrespotter table, since only one electromagnetically operated unit is required `to ube energized liniorderito u obtain successive speciiic arrangements `of controls `in lthe control mechanism, iand each ienergizationor the electroI magnetically operated unit makes available a new and distinct contact for the next energization of thelmas'ter control unit because the master :control unit provides its own switching for its `control circuit.

The invention also consists in a novel bowling -:pin spotting machine control system `having a stepper relay which simplifies and reduces the number of circuit arrangements necessary to i prevent multiple paths to the controlling magnet thereof, which reduces the `number of contacts necessary in the circuit to other elementsof the control system to a minimum in order toelect` the required non-repetitive sequences of the four basiceycle's required `in playing the game in accordance withrules of play.

With these and other objects of the invention `not specifically mentioned in view, the invention consistsin certain combinations and constructions which will be described fully hereinafter, and then `set forth .in Vthe claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings, whichform apart of this specification, and in which like chanacters of reference indicate the same or like parts:

Fig. 1 `is `a lside `elevation of a bowling pin spotting machine gprovided `with i a `preferred embodiment `of `.the invention; p

Fig. 2 is `a iplan -view illustrating the spotting `and respotting mechanisms of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a wiring diagnam illustrating the preferred form of the electrical control system in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary rear view of the pin elevating mechanism control;

Fig. 5 is a plan viewof the cam switch unit of the control mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a view taken on line 6-6 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a schematic View of the several cams which are operative in response to the rotation of the sweep operating shaft;

Fig. 8 is a schematic view of the several cams shown in the switch-cam unit in Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is 1a view showing a detail of Ithe control mechanism; .and

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of a respotting unit showing an electrical control element associated therewith.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated herein, the improved control mechanism is associated with and forms an operative part of a bowling pin spotting machine provided with mechanisms for 'removing or elevating pins from the pit of a bowling alley, and delivering them in succession to a distributor Vassociated therewith from which pins are delivered in succession and conveyed one by one to a pin spotting device having means for supporting and spotting pins and also for respotting pins during the course of play, when such is desired.

The mechanism illustrated for removing pins from the pit of a bowling alley is similar in construction and operation to that disclosed in Holloway et al. Patent 2,767,983, issued October 23, 1956 for Bowling Pin Elevatting Mechanism. Pins delivered by the device which removes or elevate-s them from the pit of the alley are discharged therefrom into a distributing device operatively associated therewith, and which may be similar construction and operation to that disclosed and described in Zuercher Patent 2,767,984, issued October 23, 1956 for Pin Distributing and Spotting Mechanism for Bowling Pin Spotting Machines. Operatively associated with rthe distributing mechanism is a bowling pin spotting and respotting device, which may be similar in constructon and `operation to that illustrated and de* scribed in Robert L. Holloway et al. Patent 2,781,195, issued February l2, 1957 for Bowling Pin Spotting and Respottng Mechanism. These mechanisms which form -coacting and selectively actuated parts of the bowling pin spotting machine with which the control mechanism of 'the invention is operatively connected, are controlled thereby in such manner that all sequential and cyclical operations of the machine are carried out automatically in proper timed order, in spotting and respotting pins upon the playing bed of a bowling alley during the entire courseof play of a game, after each normal two ball frame, or after a strike, or when a foul is rolled. The present invention contributes an improvement to that shown in my Patent 2,821,395 for Control Mechanism for Bowling Pin Spotting Machine, issued January 28, 1958 :and represents a simpler, more accurate and more easily maintained mechanism for effecting automatically all of the operations necessary to the automatic setting of pins in accordance with prescribed playing rules.

While reference is made to the above referred to patents, the present invention may be used with other types of. bowling pin Yspotting machines with which it is adaptable, `and therefore it is not tobe considered as limited in use with the structures shown in the above referred to patents.

As shown in Figure l, bowling pins 311 struck by a ball, fall from or are removed from alley A and gutters R by means of a sweep and guard designated generally 199. The mechanism for actuating sweep and guard 199 is operated after each ball is rolled by Ia bowler. After the last ball of a frame is rolled, all pins either standing or fallen, are swept into pit P. l

In the illustrated embodiment, pins falling from alley 4 A or delivered into pit P, drop onto a conveyor or travelling apron, designated' generally 320, similar in construction and operation to that disclosed in Holloway et al. Patent 2,767,983, issued October 23, 1956, and my Patent 2,821,395. This conveyor is pit wide, and is continually in motion, whereby pins are moved out of pit P beneath cushion 88 and delivered to pin elevating mechanism 37 t) described more in detail hereinafter.

Conveyor 320 runs upon driving and driven pulleys 322 and 324 respectively, mounted at the front and rear of pit P, as shown in Fig. 1. Pulley 322 is mounted on shaft 328 provided at one end with a sprocket (not shown), tracked by a sprocket chain (not shown), which runs on a sprocket (not shown) secured to `a continuously driven drive shaft (not shown) operated by motor 84. Bowling balls dropping upon conveyor 320 roll and are carried downwardly by conveyor 320 to one corner of pit P for delivery therefrom by suitable ball lifting mechanism (not shown) onto `a return runway of conventional design (not shown) for return to a bowler. Since the ball return mechanism forms no part of this invention, further description and showing thereof `are omitted in the interest of brevity.

Pins 311 `are delivered from conveyor 320 by a guide chute 363 and side guides (not shown) into pockets 331 formed in and spaced equidistantly along a flange or channel 315 forming the rim of rotary disc 371 of mechanism 370. Disc 371 is mounted for rotation on a horizontal shaft 382, and in the illustrated embodiment is continuously driven by pulley 384 `and belt 385 by motor 84. Belt 385 tracks la pulley 373 formed integrally in the rim of disc 371. The speed of rotation ,of disc 371 is such that pins 311 are not hurled or thrown -about in channel 315 while being seated in pockets 331 for delivery from pit P upwardly to a position substantially directly thereabove where each pin isdischarged into pin receiving and aligning device 342 of distributor D.

In the illustrated embodiment, disc 371 is provided with seven pin holding and conveying pockets, and is constructed and operated in the same general manner as the mechanism shown and describedin Holloway et al. Patent 2,767,983, issued October 23, 1956. Therefore further showing and description are deemed unnecessary herein because this mechanism does not form a specific part of the invention; j A

Each pin after being seated in a pocket 331, is held therein by a gripper rod 350 mounted for radial movement into and out of engagement therewith. A stationary cam 394 of suitable shape mounted on the frame of the machine is tracked by a cam follower 395 on alever V396 connected to each rod 350. Hence, as disc 371 rotates, rods 350 are moved into engagement with pins in pockets 331 and are held in engagement with pins .seated therein until the latter are to be disengaged therefrom to effect their discharge into device 342. In this manner, all pins received in pit Pare elevated by mechanism 370 and delivered thereby in succession to distributor D. The speciiic details of construction and operation of pin elevating mechanism 370 do not form a part of this invention, and

the description herein has therefore been limited to only as much as is considered necessary to an understanding of its operation. Reference is made to Holloway et al. Patent 2,767,983, issued October 23, 1956, for a cornplete disclosure. y y Y Distributor D, which includesan elongated telescopic generally U-shaped chute or channel 345, is mounted for lateral movement back and forth across the machine, and also for vertical movement., `This arrangement makes it possibleto deliver pins 311 in succession from pin elevating mechanism 370 selectively into spotters H on table T not only when table T is stationary, but also as it is moving to and fromalley A.

Each pin 311 discharged from a pocket 331 in disc 371 rolls or drops into receiving and aligning device 342, which extends partly into channelblS. Eachpin aligned by continuously driven conveyor belt `346th1ough ,chute 345 and discharged from part 349 thereof intoiaqspotter'H in table T for subsequent placement onalley yA. iPinspotters Hare mounted in substantially triangulararrange- ,ment on table T, a pattern conforming` with thezconventional arrangement of pins on abowling alley.

As each pin is` fed by belt 346 through channel `member 345, it passes beneath aV trip arm 139 which actuates a counting device 141. After .ten pins have actuated trip arm 1.39, a switch 143 in counter141 is closed which de- `energizes solenoid 330. `Solenoid 380` is connected toa movable gate `portion 397 ofcam 394, and when solenoid 380 is de-energized,this gateportion-of cam 394 is closed and clamping rods 350 remain in engagement with pins in `pockets 331, `and pins are not delivered therefrom into receiving and aligning device3-42. On the other. hand, until ten pins have` actuated trip arm 139,.switch-143 `remains open (see Figs. 3 and 9). The movable gate portion 397 of cam 394 also is open and clamping rods are disengaged from pins in pockets 331 which, at `the point of discharge relative to device 342, drop or roll into receiving and aligning device 3,42 and are delivered thereby onto belt 346. The construction and operation of cam 394 and its movable gate portion 397 are substantially the same as that shown and described in Zuercher Patent 2,767,984, issued October 23, 1956, and my Patent 2,821,395,` above referred to, and a detailed description is not deemed necessary herein.

During the course of operation of distributor D, the latter moves both laterally, and vertically and` longitudinally as described hereinbefore, until at #position, see Figure 2, an arm 146 mounted on the distributor engages .and operates` a switch 14S supported -bya bracket attached to track 360 on table T. .The operation of switch145 is `described more in detail hereinafter in the description of Figure 3.

The front end of distributor-D, which includes telescopically movable chute 349, is supported and guided `by means of an intermittently operated driving mechanism designated generally 375, which is similar in construction and operation to-that shown and described `inZuercher Patent 2,767,984, issued October 23, 1956, referred to above. This mechanism includes a bevelled `disc 356, and a guide roller (not shown) which engage `opposite 4sides of track 360, suitably attached to table T. As shown in Figure 2, track 360 is generally heart shaped and is provided with ten` stop pins 392, one of which is located adjacent each spotter H. These stop pins interrupt the movement of distributor D for delivery` of a pin into each empty spotter H, and also insure that the discharge end of distributor D is positioned properlyffor delivery of `a pin therefrom. Track 36d is provided with teeth with which engage complementary teeth on disc 356 such'that `when the latter is rotated, the distributor D isimoved laterally andextended longitudinally as disc 356 moves `stepwise along track 36).

As shown and described in the` above referred to Zuercher patent, bevelled disc 356 is driven intermittently as the result of the engagement o'f `a bowling-,pin 311 on belt 346 with a trip 223 secured to the `shaft 333 (Fig. 2). When shaft 333 is rocked, `a clutch 337 operatively connected to the shaft of pulley 442, is thrown in, `and bevelled disc .356 is rotated. This movement of disc 356 travels the discharge end of distributor D to the next empty spotter H for delivery of a pin theretowhen the stop pin adjacent this spotter causes Ythe `clutch `to 4be thrown out, and further movementot distributor D stops until trip 223 Yis again actuated.

When each of the spotters Hcontains :a pin, `further movement of distributor `D is arrested until it is again necessary to feed pins to spotters H. Conveyor belt 346, the upper lap of which travels in guidechutes 347 and 349, runs on suitable driving and drivenpulleys. `These pulleys `are supported in such mannerthatfthe pin carry'- tinglap -in chutes `347 and '349 is lengthened` or shortened inaccordance with` the `longitudinal-movement of chute 349 relative to chute 347. Conveyor belt 346 is driven continuously from motor 84 wby shaft 355 through conventional driving connections -toshaft `351. Since the specific `details of the mechanism-for operating distributorD .do

`not form a part ofthe present invention, and are fully shown and describedin the abovezreferred to Zuercher patent, `there has been described hereinabove only so much as is deemed necessary for `an undrstanding of its coaction with `pin elevating mechanism 370 and its delivery of pins to spotters H.

Since the distributor is designed to ,deliver `pins to spotters H not only when table T is stationary, but also when it is moving, there is provided a parallelogram system which maybe` similar in construction `and operation to that shown and described in the above `referred to Zuercher patent, and `my patent. This mechanism is designated 38201 and maintains the discharge end of the distributor, or that part which supports bevelled disc or driving` member 356 in a substantially horizontalposition at all times although chutes347 and 349 comprising channel 345 may be in upwardly or downwardly inclined position.

Table T, which is supported in a suitable frame mounted on alley kickbacks K, is moved in a controlled and selective manner to and from alley Awhenever pins are to be spotted or respotted thereon. As shown, table T is generally triangular in form andsupports ten triangularly arranged spotters H, and ten complementary respotter units-U. itis so mounted and stabilized that it ismaintained in asubstan'tially horizontalparallelrelationship with alley A at all times. The construction of table T, and its operating support means, may beusubstantially the same as shown and described in the above referred to Zuercher patent, and my lPatent 2,281,395. Further detailed description is therefore omitted in the interest of brevity.

Table T is moved to and from alley A by means of motor 40 which is selectively operated in order to spot and respot pins on the alley as Vthe play of the game proceeds from frame toiframe. After each ball is rolled, sweep 199 is operated in proper `timed relation with the movements of table T to sweep deadwood 0r fallen pins from the alley, or to sweep deadwood and unwanted pins from the alley depending upon which ball of a frame is rolled. The construction and operation Vofthe sweep 99is substantially the saine` as that shown and described in my depending application, and since it forms no specilic part of the invention, a detailed description herein of the elements of the sweep is deemed unnecessary.

ln the operation of the machine, sweep 199, which `also operates as a guard mechanism, is set in motion when a ball rolled by the player lands in pit P ofthe alley and effects the closing vof the pit switch 9i), the function and connections of which 4are disclosedin detail `in the description of the control circuit described herein. The closing of pit switch 9@ effects the starting of sweep motor94, Figs. 2 and 3, which in turn causes shaft 237 to start rotating in the directionof the arrow shown in Fig. 2, and sweep 199 begins its downward movement, as described in detail hereinafter, into operative guarding and sweeping positions adjacent alley A.

Each cycle of operation of themachine requires one revolution of shaft 237, and in order to properly control the position at which the sweep mechanism must be arrested at the dilferent intervals, shaft 237 carries four electrical control cams 93, 103,133 and 137 which operate suitable switches and contacts, and form part of the electrical control circuit shown in Fig. 3 and vdescribed hereinafter.

Motor `4@ is mounted in any suitablemanner on a cross member of the machine frame, Fig. `1, and is `provided with a conventional type of gear reduction for driving shaft 109 having a crank arm 20 attached to each end. Each crank arm 20 supports in its free end a stud shaft 468 to which is pivotally attached an eye 470 to which is connected one end of a table supporting rod 474, the other end of which is pivotally connected to shaft 424. When, therefore, motor 40 is set into motion, as described hereinafter, and arms 20 are rotated by shaft 109, arms 20 will cause table T to be lowered and raised with respect to alley A for spotting and respotting pins thereon. The table T raising and lowering mechanism described above imparts a smoothly accelerated and decelerated substantially vertical motion to table T which performs spotting and respottng operations at substantially the same height above alley A.

In table T, the positions occupied by spotters H and respotting units U are indicated generally at itl-#l inclusive, as shown in Fig. 2. Spotters #7-#10 inclusive and their complementary respotting units U are mounted on shaft 420 supported in side frame members 412. Spotters #4-#6 inclusive, and #2 and #3, and #l are mounted on shafts 424, 426 and 428, respectively, also supported in side frame members 412 of table T. Each spotter H is suitably attached to a bracket designated generally 437 iixed to its respective support and operating shaft. Shafts 420, 424, 426 and 428 are each provided with crank arms 417, to the free ends of which are secured links 419 such that when shaft 424 is rocked when pins are to be spotted on alley A, all of the spotters H are swung from the inclined pin receiving and supporting position shown in Fig. 1 into substantially vertical pin delivering position and pins will be deposited thereby on alley A when table T is moved by crank arms 20 into lowered or pin spotting position relative to the alley. As shown in Figure 1, loosely mounted adjacent one end of shaft 109 is a sprocket 478 having a hub 480 provided with an upstanding lug 482 to which is pivotally connected one end of a linky 486, the other end of which is pivotally connected to lever 490 keyed to stud shaft 492 mounted in bearing bracket 494 attached to the machine frame. Sprocket 478 is tracked by a sprocket chain 496 running on sprocket 498 xed to shaft 468.

Attached to shaft 468 is a crank arm 500 pivotally connected to one end of connecting rod 503. The other end of rod 503 is connected to one arm of bell crank lever 417 on shaft 424. Springs 527 perform the function of balancing the weight of the several pin spotters H, and assist in returning them to their pin receiving and holding positions, shown in Figure 1, after they have spotted a set of pins on alley A. The ends of springs 527 are attached to brackets 531 on the frame of table T and to arms of bell crank levers 417 on shaft 424, respectively.

The several spotters H are essentially the same in construction, and it is deemed necessary to describe only one. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a typical spotter H includes an elongated, generally U-shaped trough-like member 430 somewhat greater in length than the length of a pin. Adjacent and attached to the lower or free end of member 430 is a half-ring support 436, which coacts with the walls and bottom of member 430 in guiding and supporting a pin for proper placement on alley A, as spotters H are swung to spotting position adjacent alley A, and then rearwardly therefrom to clear spotted pins due to the movement of crank arms 500 during the movement of table T to and from alley A. Reference is'made to lHolloway et al. Patent 2,781,195, for a full description and showing of spotters H, and apparatus for operating them.

Each bracket 437 also supports a respotting unit U. There are ten respotting units Vemployed in the mechanism illustrated. Since each is identical in construction and operation, only one is described briey herein, reference being made tothe above referred to Holloway et al. Patent 2,781,195 for a full and complete disclosure. Since the-details ofconstruction of respotters U do not constitute a part of the present invention, a complete description herein is deemed unnecessary.

As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 10, each unit U is provided with a pair of grippers designated generally G. Each gripper G includes an elongated gripping member 475 preferably faced with a resilient pin gripping surface 477. Each member 475 is provided at its ends With a pair of upstanding arms 479 on each of which are mounted horizontally spaced rollers 481a and 481b, each unit comprises a double roller 481b and a single roller 481er. Rollers 4S1a are adapted to run in substantially horizontal tracks 481 each attached to one end of a substantially vertically movable clamping plate 483 having a resilient pin head clamping surface 483a. One of the rollers 481b runs in tracks 481, while the other roller 4811 runs in cam tracks fastened to the carriage 489. Carriage 489 at its ends is provided with rollers 491 running in horizontal tracks 493 attached to bracket 437. Pivotally attached to an upwardly extending flange 485 formed integrally with plate 483 and to bracket 455 forming a part of bracket 437 are a pair of parallel links 495. The action is such that when table T is lowered after the rolling of the first ball of a frame, and vany pins are standing on alley A, the heads of such pins will be engaged by surfaces 483g. Continued downward movement of table T results in an upward movement of plates 483, and a concurrent inward movement of grippers G to grip on or off-spot standing pins.

As indicated in Figures 3 and 10, when any plate 483 is raised, its respective switch 236 mounted on bracket 455, is operated to break a series circuit connecting the ten switches. One switch 236 is provided for each unit U. For this purpose, one end of each upper link 495 is attached to a shaft 457 to which is pivoted an operating lever 459, which, as plate 483 is moved upwardly relative to grippers 475, opens normally closed switch 236. Grippers 475 are automatically latched in closed gripping relationship by latch mechanism (not shown) and hold a pin for lifting and respotting. When each lifted pin is respotted in its respective on or olf-spot position on alley A, the latch mechanism'is automatically released, and upon upward movement of table T, such pins are left standing on alley A, pending rolling of the next ball ofthe frame. A spring 461 attached to lever 459 and to link 495 then returns switch lever 459 to its operative switch closing position.

When bowling pins are to be spotted on alley A, solenoid 82 is energized. This rocks bell-crank lever 543 connected to the armature of solenoid 82 and disengages cam follower 547 from latching engagement with a cam surface formed on lock arm 561 of lock lever 563 keyed to shaft 492. An adjustable set screw (not shown) mounted in bracket 565, which supports bell-crank lever 543, is provided in order to properly position cam follower 547 on arm 561. Lock lever 563 is provided with an adjustable -screw 567 adapted to engage a lateral projectionv 569 on cam lever 571 loosely/'mounted on shaft 492. Cam lever 571 is provided with a cam follower 573 tracking a cam 575 attached to shaft 109.

A spring 577 having one end attached to lever 490 and its other end attached to a bracket mounted on the frame of the machine, pulls lever 490 to the right, as viewed in Fig. 1, when solenoid 82 is energized. 'I'his releases locking lever 563 `allowing screw 567 to be pressed against projection 569 so that sprocket 478, attached to lug 482, is rotatably driven by the movement of Vcam follower 573 of lever 571 on cam 575. Movement of cam 575 with respect to cam follower 573, and the linkage and leverage described hereinabove, results in sprocket 478 being rotated in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 1. This results in the rocking of crank arm 500, thereby effecting a turning of shafts 420, 424, 426 and 428, which, when table T is located in position III as indicated in Figure 1, results in the delivery of ten pins in spotted arrangement on alleyA.

assesses The control mechanism selected for purposes of illustration, employed with the coacting pin handling and spotting and respotting mechanisms described hereinabove, may be termed a three cycle system, wherein there are provided three revolutions of table crank arms 20 or three down and up trips of table T for eachnormal frame consisting of a iirst ball or respot operation, and a second ball or spotting operation. Each of these operations (ball cycles) requires one complete cycle of operation of sweep 199 which removes deadwood and unwanted pins from alley A.

There are four basic types of machine cycles generated by the electrical control system constructed and operated in accordance with the invention. These are:

I. Normal two ball cycle:

First ball--Respot operation, two trips of table T to and from alley A-machine resets to second ball.

Second ball-Spotting operation, one trip of table T to and from alley A-machine resets to first ball.

II. Strike cycle: Mechanical and electrical intelligence notities machine to spot a new set of pins and reset to rst ball-two trips of table T to and from alley A.

Ill. First ball foul cycle: Spotting operationone trip of table T to and from alley A-machine resets to second ball and a foul signal actuated.

IV. Second ball foul cycle: Same as a normal second ball operation except that a foul light indicates that a foul has been committed.

Referring to Fig. 3, when switches 522 and 524 are closed, power is supplied to the coil of relay CRI which closes its contacts CRla, thereby supplying power to the primary winding of transformer 521 energizing the secondary windings 526, 528 and 530 which supply power to the control mechanism, as described hereinafter.

The closing of contacts CRla also supplies power to pin elevating motor 84 which drives pin elevating mechanism 370 and distributor D. Current from winding 526 is rectified by a suitable conventional type of rectitier 532, such as a dry selenium type. Rectied current from this power supply ows through normally closed contacts LR-la to the coil of relay PR-l closing normally open contacts PR-la which supply power to solenoid 380 which opens cam gate 397 and pins are discharged irom pin elevating mechanism 370 and forwarded by distributor D to table T. A light 11, provided for indicating that the machine is ready for a rst ball, is illuminated by current from winding 528 flowing through level #3 contact zero of stepper relay 100.

Stepper relay 100` is used to develop the program required for the several sequences necessary to the types of cycles of operation listed above. A suitable stepper relay, such as shown and described herein, may be one made by Automatic Electric Company, Chicago, Illinois, and designated as type 44, Rotary Stepping Switch. In the stepper relay illustrated, six levels of contacts are used. These levels, see Figure 3, are designated #l-#6, inclusive. Each level is provided with a home or zero contact and ten contacts corresponding to successive positions of the rotary wiper arms 104-114 inclusive. The contacts of each level swept by the respective arms represent 120 of motion of ratchet wheel 116 secured to shaft 102, to kwhich shaft arms 104-114 are also secured. The contacts of each level, i.e. levels #il-#6, see Fig. 3, are equally spaced along an arc of 120. Therefore each of the wiper arms 104-114 is provided with three sets of integral contact fingers 104a, b, c114a, b, c, spaced 120 apart, such that in the playing of each frame of the game, a selected nger of each level engages all contacts of its respective level in succession in rotating 120.

Each level of contacts and its associated wiper arm selectively control the operation of particular parts of l0 the machine. For example, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, disclosed herein, as follows: i

Arm 104 of level #l and its associated contacts controls the starting of motor 94 and hence the operation of the sweep mechanism which is driven by motor 94.

Arm 106 of level #2 and arm 112 of level #5 and their respective associated contacts control the operation of the machine corresponding to pinfall resulting from a normal two ball frame, or a strike, and also insure the correct cycling of the machine when a foul is made.

Arm 108 of level #3 and its associated contacts provide means for indicating to the bowler pinfall resulting from each first ball of a frame rolled, and for showing which ball of a frame is to be rolled, and also for indicating the occurrence of a strike.

Arm 110 of level #4 and its associated contacts initiate the operation of the delivery of pins by the pin elevating mechanism to distributor D after table T has spotted a set of pins on alley A.

Arm 114 of level #6 and its associated contacts control the starting of motor 40j which lowers and raises table T.

Stepper relay 100 is provided with a rotary cam 118` apart, adapted to operate a cam switch 123 having a spring arm 124, which lobes move contact 126 on arm 124 out of engagement with contact 128. Lobes 120 are in axial alignment with the wiper ngers of arms 104-114 such that contacts 126, 128 are open whenever the wiper lingers are in engagement with the zero contacts of levels #1J-*6. Cam 118 and cam switch 123 serve to` stop the action of solenoid when stepper relay 100 is operated in a self-stepping sequence for insuring the engagement of one of the wiping lingers of each wiper arm 104-114 with a zero contact corresponding to the beginning of a bowling frame cycle. Push button switch PB1 is provided for the purpose of starting this self-stopping sequence.

Stepper relay 100 is provided with an interrupter switch 132 having an arm 134 adapted to be engaged by armature 136 of solenoid 130. When armature 136 engages and moves arm 134 upwardly, as viewed in Fig. 3, it separates normally closed contacts 138, 140, breaking the circuit through the coil of solenoid 130, whereupon spring 142 pulls arm 144 downwardly, and causes pawl 146 to turn ratchet wheel 116, which is formed with thirty-three teeth, one tooth or an angular distance corresponding with the spacing between contacts on levels #tl-#6. Spring 148 maintains pawl 146 in constant engagement with the teeth of ratchet wheel 116. Stop 150 limits the downward movement of pawl 146. It will be seen that spring 142 stores a xed amount of energy for each operation of solenoid 130 and actually produces the rotation of wiper arms 104- 114 upon the de-energization of solenoid 130 by exerting a xed operating force on the ratchet wheel 116 irrespective of Variations in the force exerted by solenoid 130 due to changes in voltage or temperature.

As stated hereinabove, each of the stepper relay levels #1-#6 has a zero position contact and ten additional equally spaced contacts aligned in an arc of 120. For each 120 of rotation the wiper arms, eleven operations of solenoid 130 occur. The eleven actuations of solenoid 130 constitute a frame cycle in the bowling pin spotting machine operations.

Wiper arms 104, 106 and 108 oflevels # 1, 2 and 3, respectively, are bridging type wiper arms. In operation, each of these bridging type wipers engages the next adjacent contact of its respective level before moving out of engagement with the contact previously engaged. Wiper arms 110, 112 and 114 of levels `#24, 5 and 6, respectively, are non-bridging wiper arms which disengage completely from one contact before engaging the next. The use of bridging type wiper arms maintains 11 continuity in a circuit when it is necessary to actuate solenoid 135i during the time that the circuit through one of the wiper arms 104, 106 or 108 is conducting current to some element of the control circuit such as a relay, other than the coil of solenoid 130.

^ The bridging type wiper arm levels #1-3 are furnished with a zero position contact immediately following contact l@ of these levels, which permits the bridging type operation described above to occur between contacts and zero. All of the levels are provided with a fixed contact 15, located at the zero position at the left of contact 1, as viewed in Fig. 3. This fixed contact eX- tends radially into the center of the wiper arm and engages the wiper arm continuously. This construction, which functions as a radial slip ring, provides means for continuously maintaining contact between the rotating wiper arm and an external circuit. This contact arrangement is shown schematically in Fig. 3 as a conducto'r line connected between each contact 15 and the center of each associated wiping arm.

Not all of the contacts of levels #1 6 are used. Each contact or step can be considered as representing a certain period of time in the pinspotting machine cycle or sequence of operations. For example, as shown in Fig. 3, when corresponding fingers of wiper arms 104-114 engage contacts 15, the machine is ready for the rolling of the first ball of a frame. Each succeeding step position or contact engaged can be considered as representing Va period of time in the bowling machine frame cycle during which the control elements of the machine remain in a particular operative relationship. When it is necessary to change the operative relationship of the control elements of the machine, relay 130 is energized to advance or move wiper arms MP4-114 one or more steps. In general, circuits energized by the wiper arms 104- 114, initiate or start operations of elements of the machine. Cams and associated switches, or switches in the control circuit stop the operations of these elements. Stepper relay 100 thereby functions Vto coordinate and control the cyclic operations of the elements of the machine in accordancewith the prescribed rules of play. The eleven actuations of solenoid 13th during a frame cycle, result in the movement of ratchet wheel 116 and wiper arms 104414 through an arc of 120 whereby each of the contacts of each level is engaged successively by a corresponding Wiper arm finger. These eleven contact engagements provide one normal first ball sequence of operations, and two second ball sequences of operation.

lf the contact positions are numbers ti to 1d, as shown in Fig. 3, the following contact positions are used to provide the four basic machine cycies described hereinabove:

Normal first ball Steps 0, l, 2, 3, 4, 5 ,6. Normal second ball Steps 7, 8, 9, l0.

First ball foul Steps 0, 3, 4, 5, 6. Strike cycle Steps 0, l, 2, 8, 9, l0. Step 0 is ready for the rst ball and step 7 is r a y for second ball.

On a first ball foul cycle, although normal second ball spotting `functions are executed, the machine completes its sequence, ready for another second ball sequence, whereas on a strike cycle, 'where normal second ball spotting functions also are executed, the machine cornpletesV as 'ready for 'iirst ball. Both of these sequences, as well as a normal first ball cycle, start with contact or step zero. Hence a discrimination is made by the control system as to both the type of machine functions executed and the status of the machine at the completion of 'the cycle.

vIn the description of the operation of the control mechanism which follows, vthe 'Wiper arm fingers, which are moved into and out of engagement with the several contacts of the `several levels of contacts, are designated m4n-114e. The wiper arm fingers, which at the beginning of the cycle are moved out of engagement with contacts 0, are designated 104b-108b.

NORMAL Two BALL CYCLEV First ball The bowler rolls the first ball Vof a frame which ,upon arriving in pit P (Fig. 1) strikes cushion 88 and moves it rearwardly to engage and actuate starting switch suitably mounted at the rear of cushion 88. The closing of contacts of switch 90 establishes a circuit which energizes solenoid litt) causing pawl 146 to turn shaft 102 and advance ratchet wheel 116 one step, and thereby advance all of the wiper arms one step. This circuit, star-ting at the center tap of winding 526 of transformer 521, which is the positive terminal of the D.C. power supply, consisting of winding 526 land rectiiier 532, includes normally closed contacts'92a of sweep cam' switch 92, switch 90, contact tl of level #2, interrupter contacts 138, 140 of stepper relay 100, and the coil of solenoid to the center tap of rectifier S32, 'which constitutes the negative terminal of the power supply, referred to hereinabove. Thus as theresult of this energization of solenoid 130, the contact energizing fingers 10M-114e of wiper arms 10d-114 are resting on their respective contact 1.

Solenoid 130 is immediately energized a second time by a circuit consisting of contacts 1015 of cam switch 161, normally open contacts PRSa now being closed, as described hereinafter, contact 1 of level #2, interrupter contacts 138 and 140 to the coil of lstepper relay solenoid 13) which, as described hereinabove, results in a stepwise movement of all arms 10de-114e. ln the description, the energization of the coil of solenoid 130 involves the passing of current through interrupter contacts 13S, 140, inasmuch as these contacts are in series with coil 134). This arrangement is provided to produce the pulsing action of stepper relay solenoid 139, as described hereinabove.

Switches 236 (1-10) are mounted on each of the pin respotting units U (Fig. 2) and are used to detect the presence or absence of standing pins after the rolling "of a first ball, as described fully in my Patent 2,821,395. The description given herein is limited to that which will make their functions clear. These switches are provided with both a normally open and a normally closed set of contacts 236e and 236i), respectively. The normally open contacts 236e are connected vin circuits to indicating lamps L which are energized by standing pins after the rolling of a first ball of a normal two ball cycle to show which pins are standing. The normally closed contacts 236b of these ten switches 236 are connected in a series circuit which energizes the coil of relay PRS at all times lwhen pin clamping elements 483 of respotting units U are in their lowermost positions. The normally closed series circuit, consisting of normally closed contacts 236b and the associated coil of PRS, provides intelligence to the control circuit'that at-the beginning of a normal first ball cycle, all pin clamping elements are in proper position for the pin respotting operation. lif any of the pin grippers G are clamping elements are not properly positioned, its associated switch contacts 23615 will be opened and the series circuit to the coil of relay PRS 'will be broken, thereby de-energizing relay PR5 and causing its contacts PRSa to open. When this occurs, there is no stepping operation of fingers la-llla to contact two of the levels itl-#6, and table T does not move downwardly until this condition has been corrected. Conversely, when all grippers G and pin clamping elements 483 are properly positioned at the beginning of a normal first ball cycle, contacts 236b will be closed and the coil of relay PRS will be energized, thereby closing contacts PRSa. The normally Vclosed series circuit mentioned above also provides intelligence when al1 pins have been knocked down by the vtrst ball rolled, when table T has moved to locate units U in pin gripping position, and no pins remain standing.

13 When wiper finger ltlda engages contact 1, 2, or 3 of vlevel #1, a circuit is established consisting of contacts 92a of sweep cam switch 92, and contact jl of level #l to the coil of relay CR3 which energizes this relay and closes normally open contacts CRSa. When contacts CR3a close, power is supplied` to sweep motor 94 which results in the sweep designated generally 199 mov- "ing from its upper `or dwell position into its `lowered or guarding position adjacent alley A, as shown in broken lines in Fig. l. Whensweep 199 reaches this position, contacts 92a are opened by the operation of cam 93 `which de-energizes relay CRS, thereby opening contacts ACRfaa and stopping motor 94. Y

When normally closed contacts 92a are opened by the action of cam 93, normally open contacts 92h are closed. A timer, designated generally S96, is provided to delay the start of the downward movement of table T after the first ball of a frame is rolled in order to allow time `for standing pins to come to an equilibrium position. Timer 596 also delays the start ofthe sweep run-through on the second ball for the same reason. This timer employs a resistancecapacity network operating on the grid of a triode or three element electron tube. `When the contact controlling the timer is open, the grid is charged negatively during the time that the AC. voltage` supplied thecircuit is of such a phase that the cathode is negative with respect to the grid. This charge is stored on the capacitor. When the contact is closed, the cathode is connected to the opposite side of the A.C. line. Since the grid of the tube is at a negativerpotential with respect to the cathode, no `plate current can flow. The charge on the capacitor is dissipated by the resistance connected across Vthe capacitor. Depending on the value of this resistance, a finite time is required to reduce `the value of ,negative grid voltage to the point where the tube will conduct. When thispoint is reached, plate current flows Abetween the cathode and plate of the tube during the time `that the A.C. voltage makes the plate positive with respect to the cathode. This results in pulses of plate `current through the timer relay energizing this relay. Another capacitor, shunted or paralleled across the relay, Vstores a charge during the period of these pulses of current and tends to smooth out the current through the relay, preventing it from chattering. When the contact controlling the timer (between the cathode and one side of the A.C. supply) is opened, theplate and cathode are then connected to the same side of the A C. line. Since these two elements of the tube are at the same voltage, no current flows between them. Therelay then de-energizes and the charging operation starts Vin preparation for the next timing cycle.

More specifically,.timer 596` consists o f a triode or three element vacuum tube 597. Inaddition to the tube, timer 596 consists of an adjustable resistor S96a and axed resistor 596i; in series. Adjustable resistor 596e permits setting of the timers operating `point to `desired time values by compensating for tolerances ,of the particular tube, relays, and `capacitor used.

In the plate circuit of tube 597 is the coil of relay 560 shunted by a capacitor `596e which smoothes the ,pulsating plate current ilo-wing in the `platecircuitof tube 597 when it is conducting and prevents `the relay from chattering. Heater power for tube 59,7is supplied `by .one winding, 52S, of transformer 521. A.C. plate power for tube 597 is supplied by winding 530oftransformer52ll. Lead 53061 of winding 530 is connectedto one end of the coil of relay 56d; the `other end of this coil is `connected to the plate of tube 597. Lead 530:1 is also connected to the cathode ottube 597 through a resistance 596e'. `The cathode oftube597 `is connected to oneside of contacts 92h of sweep `earn switch V92. The other side `of contacts 92b,is connected to lead 530b ofwinding 530 of transformer 521. The grids `of tube 597 are connected to` resistance 596er and` to timing capacitor596c. The` opposite sideof timing capacitor 596e 14 isleonnected to resistance 596b andto lead 530b of winding 530 of transformerSZL AWhen closed, contacts 92h serve to connect the cathode of tube 597 to lead 53% of winding 53d. Conversely, when contacts 92h are open, the cathode of tube V59'? is connected to lead 6300i of winding S36 through resistance 5964i. VIn this condition tube 597 has the grid connected to lead `53011 of Vthe transformer and the cathode and plate, through the resistor 596d and the coil of relay 566, respectively, are connected to lead 53901. In this condition no current liows `between the cathode and plate, but the grid and cathode are connected as a diode or rectifier circuit and electrons flow from the cathode to the anode (grid) making the grid negative with `respect to the cathode.` This voltage between the grid and cathode charges timing capacitor 596e to a D.C. potential approaching the peak value of the AC. voltage across winding 530. Resistors 596a and 596i; act as a small load on this rectifier circuit. lWhen contacts 92h of cam switch 92 close to `start the timing period, the cathode of tube 597 is connected through these contacts to lead 53011 of winding `'530. Resistor 596d is then connected across this winding in `addition to the plate-cathode circuit of tube 597. Under these conditions, current would normally iiow between the plate and cathode of tube S97. However, the charge stored on timing capacitor 596e biases the grid negatively with respect to the cathode and prevents the tube from conducting from plate to cathode. The grid and cathode no longer actas a diode rectifier, and the charge stored on the timing capacitor dissipates itself exponentially with time through resistances 5964i and 596b. When the potential applied to the grid, equal to the voltage across the timing capacitor, falls below the cutoff value `for the triode, current flows between the cathode and `plate ,and energizes relay 566. Relay 56u will remain energized until contacts 921i are opened by the operation of cam switch 92, at which time the charg ing circuit previously explained is `set up and relay 56d ris deenergized since no current flows in the plate circuit of triode tube 597 when the cathode andplate are both connected to the same side of winding 530.

As `described above, timer 596 starts `operation when contacts 92h are closed. Timer 596 completes its timing `operation after a suitable time interval, `say two seconds, and relay 560 is energized, thereby closing contacts 569:1 and 560b. The closing of `contacts 56th; kestablishes ,a circuit through the coil of relay CK2 consisting of cork tact 2 of level #6 and contact 56th:, thereby energizing relay CRZ and closing contacts CRZa supplying power to motor 40. Thestarting of motor 40 causes shaft 109 to rotate and through crank arms 20, attached thereto, to move table T downwardly towards alley A.

First revolutionof control cam shaft 610 Shaft 610 is driven from shaft 169 by suitable sprockets and a chain in a one to one ratio. Secured to shaft 61@ are cams 612, 614, 616, 618, 620, `622, 624,*and 626. These cams are enclosed with other components of the control mechanism in a control box designated generally 200 suitably, detachably mounted on the machine, and preferably on top of the frame (Fig.` l), where it is readily accessiblefor replacement or repair.

The several cams '612-626 and the switches 613-627 operated thereby are mounted on a plate member 623 suitably detachably mounted in control box 200. Each switch has an operating arm 613b-627b pivotally mounted on shaft 632. One end of shaft 632 is secured in ange 634 formed integrally with plate member 628. The other end of shaft 632 is supported `in an arm of an angle bar 636 suitably attached to plate member 628.v Springs 638 having one endlattached to respective arms 613b- 627b and the other ends thereof secured to a cross bar 629 mounted onplate member 628 maintain the cam follower ends of arms `6 ,13b-62'7b constantly in engagement with cams 612-626, respectively. Each arm ,6,1311- 627b is provided with an adjustable switch operating pin 654.- Shaft 610 is driven in a one to one ratio from sprocket 640cm shaft 109 through a sprocket chain 642 running on sprocket 640 and on sprocket 641 fixed to shaft 610.

As table T descends, the rotation of shaft 610 causes contacts 61311, operated by cam 612, to close and keep relay CR2 energized. As the result of the movement of table T into pin gripping position relative to pins standing on alley A, the grippers of respotting units U are moved automatically to gripping position to grip any pins left standing for lifting and respotting. If there is at least one standing pin, then the switch contacts 23611 associated with the unit U, corresponding to such pin, will be opened. The opening of one of switch contacts 23611 de-energizes relay PR and causes the opening of contacts PR511 and PRSb.

As shaft 610 continues to rotate, contacts 62511 are closed by cam 624, establishing a circuit to solenoid coil 130 of stepper relay 100. This consists of contacts 10101 of sweep cam switch 101, previously closed by the movement of the sweep 199 to its guarding position shown in broken lines in Fig. 1, contacts 62511, and contact 2 of level #5. Therefore, wiper tingers 10411-11411 move from contact 2 to contact 3. This movement results in the establishment of a circuit to solenoid 130 consisting of contacts 9211 of sweep cam switch 92, and contact 3 of level #2, which energizes solenoid 130 and causes fingers 10411-11411 to move to contact 4. This operation establishes a circuit through sweep cam switch contacts 10111, contacts 62511, contacts 4 and 5 of level #5, which results in the movement of wiper fingers 10411-11411 to contact siX of their respective levels where they remain during the completion of the first revolution of crank arms 20, and until solenoid 130 is again energized during the second revolution of shaft 109.

Second revolution of control cam shaft` 610 As shafts 109 and 610 continue to rotate during the first revolution of shaft 109, contacts 61711 are closed by cam 616 which makes a circuit to the coil of relay CR3 consisting of contacts 10111 of sweep cam switch 101, contacts 61711, contact 6 of level #l energizing relay CR3 and closing contacts CR311 again starting sweep motor 94. Sweep 199 therefore moves through its operative lsweeping stroke and removes deadwood from the alley. When sweep 199 returns to its down position, shown in broken lines in Fig. 1, cam 103 operates cam switch 101, opening contacts 10111 and closing contacts 101b which de-energizes relay CRS and stops motor 94. Table T then moves downwardly, due to the second revolution of arms 20, respots pins which werelifted prior to the operation of sweep 199 and then moves upwardly. The control circuits which accomplish these results are as follows: j Y Y Near the conclusion of the first revolution of arms 20, shaft 109 and shaft 610, wiper fingers 10411-11411 are still on contacts 6. Contacts 61511 are closed at this time because of the rotation of cam 614 completing a circuit consisting of contacts 61511 and contact 6 of level #6 to the coil of relay CRZ which continues the energization of relay CRZ after theopening of contacts 613e at the end of the first revolution of shaft 610. Cam 614 maintains contacts 61511 closed for a limited initial period of the first part of the'second revolution of shaft 610 (about 75). When the position of table T when crank arms 20, and shafts 109 and 610 have rotated this limited amount, is such that pins held by grippers G are immediate'ly above but clear of the path of travel of sweep 199, if sweep 199 has completed its sweeping operations, contacts 101b will be closed and contacts 10111 will be open.

Conversely, if the sweep has not completed its sweeping operation when table T reaches the above described position, contacts` 101b will be openand contacts 10111 will be closed. I-f contacts 101b are open when shaft 610 has completed this limitedportion of its rotation, contacts 61511 will be opened by any further rotation of shaft 610, due to further descent of table T. This will interrupt the current to the coil of relay CRZ, de-energizing this relay, opening contacts CR211 and stopping table motor `40. On the other hand, if sweep 199 has completed its normal sweeping operations when the above described table T position is reached, contacts 101b of sweep cam switch 101 will be closed. If these contacts 101b are closed prior to the opening of contacts 61511, a circuit is established consisting of contacts 101b, and

-contacts 62111 of cam switch 620 which are closed immediately prior to the opening of contacts 61511 by rotation of shaft 610, contact 6 of level #6 to the coil of relay CRZ which will then remain energized under these conditions after the opening of contacts 61511, and continue the movement of table T by the continued energization of table motor 40 to complete the respotting of pins held by grippers G in their on or ott-spot positions on alley A.

Contacts 62111 will remain closed to continuethe energization of relay CRZ and hence table motor 40 continues to operate until contact 61311 again is closed by cam 612 during the second Yrevolution of shaft 610. Contacts y61311 remain closed until the conclusion of the second Vrevolution of shaft 610, at which time the opening of contacts 61311 by the action of cam 612 results in the de-energization of relay CR2 and the stopping of table ymotor 40 because of the opening of contacts CR211.

At substantially the same time table T is moving up- Vwardly after the respotting of pins, contacts 62311 are consisting of contacts 13111, which are closed at the completion of the sweeping operation described above, and contact 7 of level #1 to the coil of relay CR3 energizing this relay and closing contacts CR3a, thus again starting `sweep motor 94 which moves sweep 199 from its down or guarding position upwardly to its up or dwell position. When sweep 199 reaches its up position, contacts 13111 of cam switch 131 are opened by the action of cam 133 which de-energizes relay CRS and Ystops motor 94.

The movement of the wiper fingers to contacts 7 in terrupts the flow of current to first ball signal light 11 which had been energized during the preceding operations .by contacts 1-6 of level #3, and establishes a circuit to signal light 12 through contacts 7-10 inclusive of level #3, and normally closed contacts PR4c to winding 528 of ltransformer 521, thereby indicating that the machine is Vready for the second ball of the frame.

' The machine is now ready for the rolling of the second ball in a normal two-ball sequence.

Second ball In a normal second ball cycle, the machine operates .as-follows: As with the first ball, the second ball strikes or rolls against backstop 88 and operatespit switch 90 closing its contacts. This completes a circuit consisting of contacts 9211 of sweep cam switch 92, switch contacts, contact 7 of level #2 to the coil of solenoid 130 which advances wiper fingers 10411-11411 to contacts 8. This movement of wiper fingers 10411-11411 energizes a sweep down circuit consisting of contacts 92a, and contact 8 of level #l to the coil of relay CRS, energizing this relay, closing contacts CR311 and starting sweep motor 94. When sweep 199 reaches its down position, contacts 9211 open, and de-energize relay CR3, ope11- ing contacts CR311 and stopping sweep motor 94. When contacts 9211 open, as described above, contacts 92b are simultaneously closed by the rotation of cam 93 on shaft 237. The closing of contacts 92b initiates the operation of timer 596 described hereinabove. At the conclusion of the timed period, contacts 560b of timer relay 560 close, which completes a circuit consisting of contacts 61941, which are closed at this time due to the position of a contact closing lobe on cam 618 on shaft 610, contact 8 of level #2 to `the coil of solenoid 130, causing the movement of wiper iingers 104a-114a to contacts 9.

The movement of the wiper lingers to contacts 9 establishes a sweep run-through circuit, including contacts 101a, which are now closed, contacts 617:1, which are also closed at this time, and contact 9 of level #l to the coil of relay CR3 which energizes this relay, closing contacts CRSa, and starting sweep motor 94 for the sweeping operation. At the conclusion of this operation, cam 103 actuates cam switch 101, opening contacts 101a and closing contacts 10117 which de-energizes relay CRS and stops motor 94.

Prior to the conclusion of the sweeping operation described above, cam 137 actuates cam switch 135 and closes contacts 135er.

As soon as ten pins delivered by distributor D from elevating mechanism 370 to spotters H of table T have tripped lever arm 139 of counter 141, the contacts 143a of counter switch 143 are closed and latch coil LRlL of latch relay LR1 is energized by current from rectier 532 through the closed contacts 145:1 of distributor switch 145 and contacts 143a of counter switch 143. This relay latches itself in, opening contacts LRla and closing contacts LRlb and LRlc, `which de-energizes relay PR1 opening its contacts PRla which in turn deenergizes solenoid 380. De-energization of solenoid 380 results in the movement of gate 397 linto coincidence with cam 394, whereupon grip rods 350 are held in clamping engagement with pins in pockets 331. This prevents additional pins from being delivered by elevating mechanism 370 to distributor D until such time as spotters H have spotted their ten pins and are in receiving position. When distributor D after delivering a pin to each of the spotters H again, as shown in Fig. 2, reaches #10 position, the contacts 145b of the distributor switch 145 are closed by suitable operating means (not shown).

Counter 141 is provided with a ten tooth ratchet 151, Fig. 9, mounted on shaft 153 having secured thereto a one tooth trip cam 155. Ratchet 151 is actuated by a spring mounted pawl 157 pivoted on ratchet arm 159 supported on stud shaft 161 to which is also secured pin actuated trip finger 139. Each pin passing trip linger 139 results in the advance of one tooth of ratchet 151. A nose 163 on trip cam 155 turning intermittently with ratchet 151 is so arranged that it will close switch 143 when the tenth pin passes trip ringer 139. The zero position of ratchet 151 and the position assumedby the distributor after delivery of ten pins to the spotters H of table T correspond.

The closing of contacts 1350i, contacts 145b and contacts LRlc described above, completes a circuit through contact 9 of level #6 to the coil of relay CRZ closing contacts CR2a which in turn starts table motor 40 for the spotting operation.

Simultaneously with the operation described in the preceding paragraph, a circuit is completed consisting of contacts 101b, now closed, contact 9 of level #4, con tacts LRlb to the coil of relay PRZ from the power source consisting of transformer Winding 526 and rectifer 532, which energizes relay PR2 thereby closing contacts PRZa. When contacts CRZa close to start table motor 40, power is also supplied through contacts PRZa to spotting solenoid 82 which when energized, releases the spotting mechanism so that when table T descends to spotting position, the ten pins in spotters H will be spotted on alley A. p

, The initial operation of table motor 40 during the '18 spotting operation, through the circuit consisting of con-` tacts 135a, 1451 LR1c and contact 9 of level #6 to the coil of relay CRZ continues the operation of shafts 109 and 610 until contacts 613e are closed by cam 612. The closing of contacts 61361 establishes a holding circuit to the coil of relay CRE, which continues the operation of the table motor until the conclusion of the spotting operation and the return of table T to its up or dwell position. At that time contacts 613:1 are opened, def-energiz-ing relay CRZ and stopping table motor 40.

During the time contacts 613er are closed, other circuits are established. The first circuit is established immediately after pins have been spotted and table T is moving upwardly. This circuit includes contacts 627a which are closed at this time by cam 626 on shaft 610, normally closed contacts 101b, contact 9 of level #4 `to the unlatching coil LR1U of relay LR1. This circuit effects the unlatching operation for relay LR1 opening contacts LRlb and LRlc and closing contacts LRlla. When contacts LRla are closed, relay P111 is again energized, resuming the delivery of pins to distributor D as described above. The opening of contacts LRlb de-energizes relay PRZ which in turn opens contacts PRZa and de-energizes spotting solenoid 82. This allows the latching mechanism controlled by solenoid 82 to remain en gaged during the succeeding irst ball cycle when pins are being fed into the spotters H.

Subsequent to the de-energization of solenoid 82, contacts 623m are closed by cam 622 which completes a cira cuit consisting of contacts 10119 of sweep cam switch 101, and contact 9 of level #2 to the coil of solenoid which in turn moves wiper tingers: 104a-114a to contacts 10. This operation results in the completion of a circuit including contacts 131a of sweep cam switch 131, and contacts 10 and 0 of level #l to the coil of relay CR3 energizing this relay; thereby closing contacts CRSa and `starting sweep motor 94 which thereupon returns sweep 199 to its up or dwell position at which time contacts 131a are opened cle-energizing relay CR3 and stopping motor 94.

During the time sweep motor 94 is returning sweep 199 to its up position, sweep cam 93 operates cam switch 92 -opening contacts 92b, closing contacts 92a. The closing of contacts 92a establishes a circuit consisting of contacts 92a, and contactf10 of level #2 to solenoid coil 130 which moves the wiper ingers 104a-114a to zero contacts,` or zero position. The machine is now again in readiness for the lirst ball of the next frame, having completed a normal two-ball cycle.

STRIKE CYCLE The strike cycle occurs when a bowler knocks down all ten pins with the first ball rolled of a frame. The initial operations are the same as for` a rst ball of a normal two-ball game, but since there will be no pins standing when table T is moved downwardly, no grippers G will be operated and hence the` series circuit through contacts 236b will remain closed and relay PRS will be energized, thereby closing contacts PRS'a and PRSb. The operations of the machine up to the stage where Wiper lingers 10M-11401 engage contacts 2, are the same as described for a normal rst ball cycle. Simultaneously with the closure of contacts 625a and the first` revolution of shaft 610 during the first ball cycle, and because relay PR5 is energized as the result of the closure of all contacts 23611, atcircuit is established consisting of contacts 101e, contacts 625e, and contacts PRSbto the coil of relay PR4, energizing relay PR4, which closes con-` tacts PRla, IRftb, and PR4d and opens contacts PR4c.- Contacts PR4a provide a holding circuit` for the coil of relay PR4 through contacts 92b, until contacts 92b are broken by the subsequent operation of sweep 199. When Wiper fingers 1Mo-114:1 are moved to contacts 6, as previously described, for a normal cycle, the closed condition of contacts PRld results inthe completion of a circuit to the coil of solenoid`130 consisting of contacts 92b, contacts PR411, contacts PRSb, arm 11211 to contacts 6 and 7 of level #5 and contacts PR4d, resulting in the movement of wiper lingers 10411-11411 to contacts 8.

kThe closed condition of contacts PR4b, and the open condition of contacts PR4c when wiper finger 10811 of level #3 reaches contact 7, cause signal light ST to be energized, and signal light 12 to be de-energized during the time wiper iingers 10411-11411 are on contacts 7-10 inclusive. f Subsequent to the movement of wiper fingers 10411- 11411 to contacts 8, the continued rotation of shafts 109 and 610 effects the closure of contacts 61911 by cam 618 establishing a circuit energizing solenoid 130, including contacts 5601) of timer relay 560, contacts 61911, and contact 8 of level #2 which advances the wiper fingers l10411-11411 to contact 9. This movement of wiper lingers 10411-11411 completes a sweep run-through circuit consisting of contacts 10111, contacts 61711, and contact 9 of level #l to the coil of relay CRS, starting motor 94 and the sweeping operations of sweep 199.

j During the time sweep 199 is in operation, table T continues to vmove upwardly Vuntil contacts 61311 are opened by the rotation of cam 612 on shaft 610. When this occurs, relay CR2 is de-energized, stopping table motor 40 and the movement of table T, until sweep 199 completesits sweeping operations. As soon as sweep '199 has completed its sweeping operations and a set of pins is supported in spotters H, resulting in the closure of contacts 145b, and the latching operation of relay LR1 caused by the completion ofthe delivery of ten pins into spotters H, as described hereinabove, has been effected, a table starting circuit for a spotting cycle is established. This circuit includes contacts 145b, contacts 13511, contacts LRlc, and contact 9 of level #6 which energizes relay CR2 and starts table motor 40.

Simultaneously with the establishment of the table ystarting circuit for the spotting cycle, as described directly above, another circuit is established through contacts 101b, contact 9 of level #4, and contact LRlb to the coil of relay PR2. This energizes relay PR2 and energizes spotting solenoid 82 by the .closing of contacts CR211 and PR211 as previously described in the spotting sequence for a normal second ball cycle. Y After the spotting of a set of pins and the ascent of table T has begun, contacts 62711 are closed by the action Vof cam 626 due to the continued rotation of shaft 610. Closure of contacts 62711 results in the establishment of a circuit through unlatching coil LR1U of relay LR1 including contacts 101b, contact 9 of level #4, and contacts 627711, resulting in the unlatching of relay LR1 and the de-energizing of the spotting latch solenoid 82 and the energizing of relay PR1 to initiate the pin delivery operation from pin elevator 370 to distributor D as previously described during a normal second ball cycle.

- Subsequent to the unlatching of relay LR1, contacts 62311 operated by cam 622, are closed, resulting in the movement of wiper fingers 10411-11411 from contacts 9 to contacts 10, as previously described, for a normal second ball cycle. The operations incident to the movement of wiper fingers 10411-11411 from contacts 10 to zero and the upward motion of sweep 199 are effected by circuits previously described for the concluding operations in a normal second ball cycle.

The closure of contacts PR4b, as described above, results in the establishment of a circuit energizing a strike signal light ST. This circuit includes contacts 7, 8, 9 and 10 of level #3 and contacts PR4b. This signal remains energized until relay PR4 is de-energized by the opening of contacts 92b, at the conclusion of the upward movement of sweep 199 at the end of the strike cycle. The machine is now ready for the next iirst ball cycle, with the wiper arms 104-114 in zero position,

"i M `TFIRSTBALL FOUI.'l CYCLE 1 rmi f' When a foul is committed on the rst ballY of a frame; relay PRS in the control circuit willbepenergized by the closure of foul switch 654. If desired, relay PRS maybe energized by the receipt of a signal from an automatic foul detecting and signalling unit (not shown), suchfor example as shown and described in Dumas et al. Patentl 2,683,602, issued July V13, 1954, for Foul Detecting` and Signallingl Mechanism. Energization of relay PRS results in the closure of contacts PRSa, connected to contact 1 of level #2, and the closure of contacts PRSb con-` nectedto contactl 2 of level #2. i

When a ball is rolled resulting in the operation of switch 90, as described previously, stepper relay 100 is operated to advance wiper fingers 10411-11411 from contacts zero to contacts 1. Upon movement to contacts 1, and as a result of the closed condition of contacts PR311, a circuit is established which energizes solenoid 130 including contacts 9211, contacts PR311, and contact 1 of level #2. This results in the immediate movement of wiper ngers 10411-11411 to contacts 2. As a result of the closed condition of contacts PRSb, another circuit energizes solenoid 130, including contacts 9211, contacts PR311, and PRSb, and contact 2 of level #2, resulting in the movement of Wiper fingers 10411-11411 to contact 3.

During the movements of wiper fingers 10411-11411 from contacts 1 to 3, a circuit is established for the sweep "down motion consisting of contacts 9211, con-` tacts 1, 2 and 3 of level #1, to the coil of relay CRS resulting in the energization of motor 94, as previously described. When sweep 199 has moved to its down position, as shown in Fig. 1, cam switch 92 is operated by cam 93 on shaft 237 and contacts 9211 are opened and contacts 92b are closed, as described previously. When contacts 92h `are closed, a circuit is established energizing solenoid including contacts 92b, and contact 3 of level #2 which results in the movement of Wiper fingers 10411-11411 to contacts 4.

When wiper ngers 10411-11411 reach contacts 4, a sweep run-through circuit is completed including contacts 10111, Vcontacts 61711, and contact 4 of level #l resulting in the energization of relay CRS and the starting of sweep motor 94. The operation of sweep 199 thus effected results in the sweeping of all pins, standing or fallen, into pit P. Upon completion of the sweeping operation, cam'switch 101 is actuated, resulting in the opening of contacts 10111 and closing of contacts 101b. The opening of contacts 10111 by cam 103 on shaft 237 results in the de-energization of relay CRS and the stopping of sweep motor 94. When contacts 101b close, a circuit is established energizing solenoid 130, including contacts 101b, and contact 4 of level #2, resulting in the movement of Wiper fingers 10411-11411 to contacts 5. f

As soon as wiperngers 10411-11411 engage contacts 5, a spotting cycle table start circuit is established for table T consisting of contacts 14511, 13511, LRlc, and contact 5 of level #6.Y This circuit energizes relay CR2 and starts table motor 40. Y

Simultaneously with the completion of the spotting cycle table start circuit, another circuit is made including contacts 101k, contact 5 of level #4, and contacts LRlb of relay LR1, resulting in the energization of relay PR2 closing contacts PR211. The simultaneous closing of contacts CR211 and PR211 effects the energization of solenoid 82 and the subsequent delivery of pins by spotters H to alley A.

After the delivery of pins to alley A, and during the upward movement of table T, contacts 62711 close, resulting in the establishment of a circuit including the LR1U or unlatching coil of relay LR1, and contacts 101b, contact 5 of level #4, and contacts 62711. This circuit re; sults in relay LR1 being actuated to its unlatched condi-l tion which in turn de-energizes relay PR2, and spotting solenoid 82, and energizes relay PRI and solenoid 380, as previously described.

Subsequent to the unlatching of relay LRI, cam 622 on shaft 610 closes contacts 62311, completing a circuit including contacts 101b, contacts 62311, and contacts 5 and 6 of level #2 which energizes solenoid 130 and advances ywiper fingers AM-1Mo from contacts 5 to` contacts 7. As a result of wiper fingers 104a114a engaging contacts 7, a sweep up circuit is established including contacts 13111, and contact 7 of level #1, which energizes relay CR3 starting sweep motor 94 which continues to operate until contacts 131a are opened by cam 133 on shaft 237, whereupon relay CRS is de-energized and motor 94 stops. The table T continues to ascend until contacts 613r1 are opened by the movement of cam 612 on shaft 610. The opening of contacts 61301 de-energizes relay CRZ and stops motor 40. When the table stops, the machine is in condition for the second ball of the same frame with the stepper relay wiper fingers engaging contacts 7.

SECOND BALL FOUL CYCLE p For a second ball foul, the operation of the machine is the same as in the case of a normal second ball cycle.

, MANUAL CYCLING OF MACHINE In order to operate the machine, as for test purposes, without the need for rolling a ball, the control circuit is provided with a manually operable switch 89 (Figure TENTH FRAME SPARE `When a bowler makes a spare in the tenth frame of a game, he is entitled, under the rules, to an additional ball. As the result of rolling this ball, the machine goes through a normal first ball cycle and comes to rest as ready for the second ball of a frame. In order to manually cycle the machine and place it in readiness for the rst -ball of a frame, i.e. the first ball of the rst frame of the next game, there is provided a manually operable switch 91 having normally open contacts 91a connected in parallel with contacts 90a. Thus when switch 91 is operated, the machine is cycled as described hereinabove without the necessity of rolling a second ball, which is not permitted under the rules. Switch 91 preferably is located adjacent the approach end of an alley where it is convenient to a bowler.

MACHINE PROTECTION CIRCUIT When during a normal lirst ball cycle table T descends upon astanding pin which has been moved out of range of the grippers G and clamping element 483m (Fig. 10) either by the action of the ball or by other pins, mechanism for stopping the machine is operated. The details of this mechanism are shown inFigure l. Rod 474 is `provided with a telescoping member 675. Member 675 carries a bracket 677 in which is lixedly mounted an adjustable rod `679 having its free end extending up* wardly through an opening in a `plate 681 having a hub attached to rod 474. A spring 683, encircling rod 474 and rod member 675, bears against bracket 677 and plate 681, normally tending to urge them apart. If for any reason, such as described, downward movement of table T is prevented, due to the telescopic arrangement shown in detail in Fig. 1, spring 683 will be compressed and'rod 679 will engage switch 586 which has normally open contacts 586a (Fig. 3) adapted to be closed by pressure from rod 679. The mechanism for actuating switch 586 is identical in construction and operation to (22 thatshown and described in detail in Holloway et al. Patent 2,781,195 for Bowling Pin Spotting and Respotting Mechanism. 'The closing of contacts 58611 cornpletes a grounding circuit across the D.C. power supply including winding 526 and rectiier 532, the coil of D.C. circuit breaker CB1 and contacts 586e. The large current through the coil CB1 of the circuit breaker trips this circuit breaker and opens contacts CBla in the circuit supplying power to the coil of relay ICRl, which deenergizes relay CRI opening contacts CRla, removing all power to the motors 94, 4i) and 84 and the control system powered by transformer 521, thus protecting the machine from any danger to the respotting units U, e'specially grippers G. i

RESPOTTER UNIT PROTECTION MECHANISM Also provided are switch contacts PBZa which are paralleled with contacts 1Mb of cam switch 101. Contacts P13211 are used to manually cause wiper fingers m4a1-11411 of stepper relay 104i to move from contact ll to contact 2 during a normal iirst ball cycle in the event relay 1312.5 is de-energized by the open condition of one of the sets of contacts 236i) at the beginning of a normal first ball cycle. In this case, contacts llillb open at the conclusion of the sweep down motion of sweep 199, but wiper fingers 10411-11@ do not move beyond contact 1. After the mechanical condition which caused one of switch contacts 2.36b to be opened, is corrected', and relay PRS is energized closing contacts PRSa, contacts P13201 must be manually closed to permit resumption of the machine cycle by the movement of wipers )idea-114101 from contact 1 to 2. This circuit resets the machine after the occurrence and correction of a condition which would permit the respotting units U to function incorrectly.

The invention above described may be varied in construction within the scope of the claims, for the particular device, selected to illustrate the invention, is but one ofthe many possible concrete embodiments of the same. It is not, therefore, to be restricted to the precise details of the structure shown and described.

What I claim is:

l. In a bowling pin spotting machine, apparatus comprising a table mounted for movement to and from a bowling alley and having means for setting pins and picking up standing pins, driving means for moving said table to `and from said alley to spot and respot pins thereon, a sweep, mechanism for operating said sweep including driving means, a multi-level stepper relay having ganged wiper fingers and at least a first, second, and third level, a plurality of spaced contacts on each of said levels, one of said wiping lingers being operatively associated with each of said levels and adapted to successively engage said contacts in response to the activation of said stepper relay, a control circuit for said table driving means connected to selected contacts of said rst level and lhaving active and passive states, a control circuit for said sweep driving means connected to selected contacts of said second level and having active and passive states, master control circuit means for said apparatus including said third level of contacts and operative to energize said relay and move said ganged fingers to engage selected contacts of said levels for simultaneously placing said table control circuit and said sweep control circuit in concurrent, active states to prepare said control circuits for subsequent energization, electrically interlocked devices operatively connected to said iirst and second levels for selectively controlling the operation of said activated table and sweep circuits to synchronize the movementsof said table and said sweep in accordance with a predetermined bowling game playing cycle, and circuit means operative in response to the rolling of each ball of a frame and connected to said master control circuit means including said third level` for indexing said relay lingers to cause said fingers to engage selected contacts of said lrst and second levels and activate said control circuits for concurrent operation of said table andsweep driving means during each ball operating cycle of the machine. i 2. The invention defined in claim l wherein said electrically'interlocked devices include means operated by said table driving means and selected contacts of said second level of said stepper relay for selectively energizing said activated sweep control circuit in order to control operation of said sweep in a predetermined timed relationship with the movement of said table.

3. The invention defined in claim 2 wherein said electrically interlocked devices further include means operated by said sweep driving means for controling the movement of said table during the concurrent movement of said sweep along said alley.

4. The invention defined in claim l wherein said apparatus includes pin sensing means, and further includes means connected to said master control circuit means and operative in response to the rolling of a rst ball of a frame and the occurrence of a strike detected by said sensing means for causing said master control circuit means to energize a predetermined sequence of contacts of said first and second levels to program said machine through a strike cycle including, programming said sweep through a sweep cycle to sweep all fallen pins from said alley and programming said table to descend towards said alley and spot a new set of pins thereon.

5. In a howling pin spotting machine for use on a bowling alley having a pit at one end thereof, apparatus comprising a table mounted for movement to and from a bowling alley, a plurality of pins spotters mounted on said table, a plurality of similarly arranged pin respotting units mounted on said table, driving means for moving said table through an operating cycle including moving said table to and from said alley to spot and respot pins thereon, a multi-level stepper relay having ganged wiper fingers and at least a first, second and third level, a plurality of spaced contacts on each of said levels, one of said wiping fingers being operatively associated with each of said levels and adapted to successively engage said contacts in response to the activation of said stepper relay, a control circuit for said table driving means connected to selected contacts of said first level and having active and passive states, a control circuit for selectively actuating said spotters connected to selected contacts of said second level and having active and passive states, master control circuit means for said apparatus including said third level of contacts and operative to energize said relay and move said ganged fingers to engage selected contacts of said levels for simultaneously placing said table control circuit and said spotten control circuit in concurrent active states to prepare said control circuits for subsequent'energization, circuit means operative in response to the rolling of a second ball of a frame connected to said third level for stepping said relay to cause said fingers to engage selected contacts of said first and second levels and activate said table drive control circuit and said spotter control circuit respectively, electrically interlocked devices connected to said table drive control circuit and said spotter control circuit and operative to concurrently energize said activated spotter circuit and said activated table drive control circuit to move said table downward towards said alley and cause said spotters to be actuated when said table reaches spotting position to spot a new set of pins on said alley, and means connected to said electrically interlocked devices and operative after said table has traveled a predetermined distance in its movement relative to said alley for disconnecting said spotter control circuit from said electrically interlocked devices to deenergize said spotter control circuit whereby said spotters are inactivated.

6. The invention defined in claim 5 including a pin distributor adapted to deliver a plurality of pins in succession to said spotters subsequent to the spotting of pins on said alley, a control circuit for actuating said pin distributor connected to selected contacts of a level of said stepper relay and having"v active and passive states,saidv distributor control `circuit being placed in an active statey by said master control circuit means concurrently kwith the activation of said spotter control circuit to prepare said distributor control circuit for subsequent energize tion, and means operative after said` vpins have l been spotted for energizing said activated distributor circuitv to cause said distributor to distribute a new set of pins while said table is moving from said alley. K -Y 7. The invention defined in claim 5 including a sweep, mechanism for operating said sweep including driving means, a fourth level on said stepper relay, a control circuit for said sweep driving meanshaving activev and passive states and connected to selected contacts Vof saidfourth level, said sweep control circuit beingplaced in an active state by said master control circuit means, and means operated by said table driving means and including said selected contacts of said fourth level for selectively energizing said activated sweep control circuit to .cause said sweep driving means to movesaid sweep to land from said alley concurrently and in synchronism with said table movement to remove all pins from said alley after said second ball is'rolled.

8. In a bowling pin spotting machine a tablevmounted for movement to and from a bowling alley, pin sensing means, a Vplurality of pin spotters mounted on said table in an arrangement conforming substantially with the playing positions of pins spotted on said alley, a `plurality of similarly arranged pin respotting units mounted on-said table, driving means for moving said table to and from said alley to spot and respot pins thereon, a multi-level stepper relay having ganged wiper fingers and at least a first, second and third level, a plurality of spaced contacts on each of said levels, one of said wiping fingers being operatively associated with each of said levels and adapted to successively engage said contacts in response to the actuation of said stepper relay, a control circuit for said table driving means connected to selected contacts of said first level, control circuit means including said second level of contacts for selectively energizing said relay to move said ganged fingers to engage selected contacts of said levels for actuating said table control circuit, a programming circuit means connected to selected contacts of said third level and including electrically interlocked devices operatively connected to said first and second levels for controlling the operation of said table and said relay, said programming circuit including means forV intermittently energizing said relay through contacts of said second level, circuit means connected to said -programming circuit means and operative in response to the rolling of a first ball of a frame and Vthe occurrence of a strike to cause said programming circuit means to en-A ergze said relay and advance said wiper arms to engage a predetermined sequence of contacts of said first and second levels to program said table through a strike cycle including programming said table through twogsucccssive cycles of operation, said table descending towards said alley to feel for and sense standing pins during said first cycle of operation and descending towards said alley to spot a new set of pins on said alley during said second cycle of operation.

9. In a bowling pin spotting machine, a table mounted for movement to and from a bowling alley, a plurality of pin spotters mounted on said table in an arrangement conforming substantially with the playing positions of pins spotted on said alley, a plurality of similarly arranged pin respotting units mounted on said table, driving means for moving said table to and from said alley to spot and respot pins thereon, a multilevel stepper relay having ganged wiper fingers and at least a first, second and third level, a plurality of spaced contacts on each of said levels, one of said wiping fingers being operatively associated with each of said levels and adapted to successively engage said contacts .in response tothe actuation of said stepper relay, a control circuit forv said table driving means connected to selected contacts of said first level, control circuit means including said second level of contacts for selectively energizing said relay to move said ganged fingers to engage selected contacts of said levels for actuating said table control circuit, programming circuit means connected to selected contacts of said third level and including electrically interlocked devices operatively connected to said first and second levels for controlling the operation of said table and said relay, said programming circuit means including means for intermittently energizing said relay through contacts of said second level, circuit means responsive to the rolling of a first ball foul connected to said programming circuit means for causing said programming circuit means to energize said relay and advance said wiper arms to enga-ge a predetermined sequence of contacts of said first and second level to program said machine through a foul cycle including programming said table through one cycle of operation to deliver 'a new set of pins to said alley after the occurrence of a rst ball foul.

10. The invention dened in claim 9 including `a pin distributor adapted to move stepwise from one empty spotter to another to deliver a plurality of pins in succession thereto subsequent to the spotting of said pins on said alley, a fourth contact level on said relay, a control circuit for actuating said spotters and a control circuit for actuating said distributor connected to selected conactive state concurrently with the activation of said spotter control circuit to prepare said distributor control circuit for subsequent energization, means operated by selected contacts of said fourth level of said stepper relay for actuating said spotters to spot a new1 set of pins on said alley whenever a first ball foul is rolled, said distributor control circuit including circuit means actuated by said contacts of said fourth level operative after said pins have been spotted for actuating said distributor to deliver a plurality of pins in succession. to said empty spotters.

11. The invention defined in claim 8 and further i11- cluding circuit means responsive to the rolling of a rst ball foul connected to said programming circuit means for causing said programming means to energize a predetermined sequence of contacts of said iirst and second level to program said table through one cycle of operation to deliver a new set of pins to said alley after the `occurrence of said foul.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,319,925 Flanagan May 25, 1943 2,346,189 Schmidt Apr. 11, 1944 2,559,274 Broekhuysen July 3, 1951 2,611,611 Patterson Sept. 23, 1952 217054146 Montooth ot ol- --,.f=-.. Mor, 29, 1955

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