WO1999017849A1

WO1999017849A1 - Device for setting up bowling pins in a pattern

Info

Publication number: WO1999017849A1
Application number: PCT/NL1997/000550
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johannes De Boer
Original assignee: WOENSDRECHTER AANDRIJF TECHNIEK BV
Current assignee: WOENSDRECHTER AANDRIJF TECHNIEK BV
Priority date: 1997-10-03
Filing date: 1997-10-03
Publication date: 1999-04-15
Anticipated expiration: 2000-04-03
Also published as: AU4473897A

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for setting up bowling pins in a determined pattern on a ground, comprising means for supplying the bowling pins, means connected to the supply means for positioning the supplied bowling pins in the determined pattern and means connected to the positioning means for moving the bowling pins to the ground and setting them down thereon. The supply means can comprise a vertically running belt conveyor, while the positioning means comprise a receiving member with a number of openings and a conveyor displaceable relative to the openings, wherein the form and dimensions of each of the openings correspond with those of a bowling pin. The set-up device can be provided with means for returning a bowling ball from the position of the pins, in the form of a push-back member displaceable through a stroke length and comprise a drive mechanism connected thereto. The different components of the set-up device can be independently drivable.

Description

DEVICE FOR SETTING UP BOWLING PINS IN A PATTERN

The invention relates to a device for setting up a number of standing objects, in particular bowling pins, in a determined pattern on a ground, comprising means for supplying the bowling pins, means connected to the supply means for positioning the supplied bowling pins in the determined pattern and means connected to the positioning means for moving the bowling pins to the ground and setting them down thereon. Such a device is generally known under the designation of bowling pin installation. This set-up device is intended to dispose the bowling pins prior to a delivery in the correct pattern at the far end of a bowling lane and, once a bowling ball has been delivered, to clear away the fallen pins and to replace the remaining pins in the correct pattern for a second delivery. After this second delivery all pins are cleared away and a new set of pins is arranged, whereafter the lane is ready for a new delivery.

For supply of the pins the known bowling pin installation has an elevator wheel rotatable on a horizontal shaft which delivers the pins to a positioning mechanism. This positioning mechanism consists of a receiving member formed by a framework of rods which together define receiving compartments for the pins and a conveyor which carries the pins to the receiving compartments . This conveyor is controlled by means of a curve disc which ensures that the conveyor is carried along all compartments in a predetermined sequence. The compartments are closed on their underside by displaceable bars which can be moved to a position in which they leave clear the underside of the compartments, so that the pins can drop therefrom. The pins are then collected in lying set-up elements which are then released from the pins and retracted. The above described set-up device or bowling pin installation is therefore a substantially mechanically operating and controlled machine, the original design of which dates from several decades ago. The known bowling pin installation is therefore of complicated construction, voluminous, heavy and expensive, while in addition it has relatively few adjustment options and thus has only a small number of functions. In addition, the known device is particularly susceptible to breakdown as a consequence of the large number of often relatively heavy moving parts and requires a great deal of maintenance .

The invention therefore has for its object to provide an improved bowling pin installation of the above discussed type which is of simpler construction and thus less costly and less likely to require maintenance and which displays an improved functionality. According to a first aspect of the invention this is achieved in such a set-up device in that the supply means comprise at least one substantially vertically running belt conveyor. By replacing the heavy and voluminous elevator wheel with an elevator conveyor the drive can be considerably simplified, while a more compact device is also obtained. The belt conveyor preferably comprises an endless belt with a number of compartments formed thereon, the dimensions of which correspond with those of a bowling pin. These compartments can herein be formed by flaps which are either slightly flexible and formed integrally with the belt or which can be form-retaining and connected releasably to the belt.

In order to enable simple delivery of the supplied pins to the positioning means, the belt conveyor preferably has close to its top side a portion inclining in the direction of the positioning means. When they reach this portion the compartments with the pins will also incline so that the pins simply roll out of them.

According to a second aspect the invention provides a set-up device of the above described type wherein the positioning means comprise a receiving member with a number of openings and at least one conveyor displaceable relative to the openings, wherein the form and dimensions of each of the openings correspond with those of a bowling pin. By replacing the conventional bar framework with a single, preferably plate-like receiving member the costs of manufacturing the set-up device are greatly reduced, while the weight of the device is hereby also decreased. Advantageously the conveyor can herein be pivoted parallel to the plane of the receiving member and is connected drivably to controllable pivoting means. In addition, the conveyor is preferably extensible and connected drivably to controllable extending means . Due to the controllable character of the pivoting means and the extending means the conveyor can thus be pivoted to any desired angular position and extended to any desired length, and thus be displaced herewith to any desired receiving opening. The bowling pins can thus be disposed in a pattern to be entered by a player, whereby particular situations can for instance be practised or other game options played. The functionality of the bowling pin installation hereby increases considerably.

According to a third aspect of the invention a setup device of the above described type is provided with means arranged under the openings in the receiving member for supporting bowling pins located therein, which supporting means are displaceable between a position at least partially closing the opening and a position leaving the opening completely clear. In preference the supporting means are herein formed by a member which is slidable relative to the receiving member and has a number of releasing openings corresponding with the number of receiving openings, wherein the supporting member, just as the receiving member, can take the form of a plate. By embodying the supporting member as a single, easily slidable plate with openings, this part of the construction is also considerably simplified compared with the older known rod systems, whereby the cost, weight and complexity, and therefore the susceptibility to breakdown, of the set-up device are greatly reduced. The known set-up device is further always provided with means displaceable in vertical direction for picking up the still standing pins from the ground and re-placing them once the fallen pins have been removed, which pickup and re-placing means comprise a number, corresponding with the number of pins, of sets of fingers movable relative to each other by means of a drive. The pins which remain standing after the first delivery can be picked up herewith, whereafter the fallen pins are swept from the set-up surface. The picked-up pins are subsequently re-placed, whereafter the lane is ready for the second delivery. The known fingers are moved toward each other by means of electric motors until a contact arranged in the fingers is closed, which designates the closed position of the fingers. The sets of fingers are then moved upward so that the set-up surface can be swept. Finally, the fingers are carried downward and opened, whereby the pins are once again released. This known mechanism has the drawback that the electrical drive of the fingers and the electrical detection of their closed position requires a large amount of cabling. Because the sets of fingers are further displaceable in vertical direction this cabling will be bent frequently, whereby breaking of the cable occurs after a period of time, thus resulting in breakdowns.

According to a fourth aspect the invention thus provides a set-up device wherein the drive is a pneumatic drive. Owing to the pneumatic drive the need for cables becomes wholly superfluous . For control of the displacement of the fingers in vertical direction means are preferably provided for detecting the position of the set of fingers. The fingers can hereby be prevented from being moved downward while they are in their closed position, since the frame in which the fingers are accommodated could hereby become jammed on bowling pins still standing uprigh . When the fingers are driven collectively the detection means can take the form of a single sensor.

The known bowling installation is generally also provided with means for returning the bowling ball from the position of the pins. These return means herein usually take the form of a lift, with which the ball is carried upward a determined distance, and an inclining gutter connecting onto the lift through which the ball then rolls back under the influence of gravity to a collection point at the beginning of the lane. This construction is also comparatively complex, while in addition the force and speed with which the ball is returned is difficult to adjust since these are fixed when the gutter is designed. Changing the return speed at a later stage is therefore only possible with great difficulty and with a large investment.

According to a fifth aspect the invention therefore provides a set-up device with an improved return mechanism. This is achieved in that the return means comprise at least one push-back member displaceable through a stroke length and a drive mechanism connected thereto. By thus actively pushing back the ball instead of allowing it simply to roll back, a simpler, less costly and better adjustable construction is obtained. The push-back member can herein comprise a pivotable arm with a foot connected thereto close to its outer end for bringing into contact with the ball, whereby the ball is as it were "kicked" back. In order to prevent a delivered bowling ball and/or knocked down pins striking with force against the transport mechanism arranged at the rear of the bowling installation, this latter is further provided with a blocking member pivotable on a horizontal shaft and with means connected thereto for ^"damping the pivoting movement. This blocking member, the so-called "cushion plank", also serves to detect the presence of a ball, for which purpose it is connected to a switch or contact which, when the blocking member moves, opens or conversely closes a circuit. Due to the presence of this switch the installation space for the damping means is limited. Use is therefore generally made of a telescopic shock absorber directed at a small angle to the blocking member. The loads on the shock absorber are hereby considerable and the effect thereof limited.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention a setup device is therefore provided with an improved damping of the blocking member. This is achieved according to the invention in that the damping means are directed horizontally. The direction of the damping is hereby parallel to that of the load, whereby an efficient damping is achieved. The horizontal disposition of the damper (s) is possible because no use is made of switches connected to the blocking member for detection of the ball but an optical sensor detects the passage of the ball instead. The known bowling installation is further generally provided with a conveyor for discharging knocked over pins. This conveyor, which extends from the set-up surface for the pins to the elevator wheel, is herein driven synchronously with the elevator wheel . In the case where a large part of the pins are knocked over in one delivery, there is the danger of these pins accumulating at the end of the discharge conveyor, which may result in jamming of the machine.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention a set-up device is therefore provided wherein this danger does not occur. This is achieved according to the invention in that the discharge conveyor is driven independently. In preference the drive is herein also adjustable. The discharge of the knocked over pins can thus be stopped temporarily when the elevator belt is in danger of becoming blocked. Finally, the invention relates to a playing surface, in particular a bowling alley, which is provided with a substantially flat lane which is elongate in top view and at the one end of which is defined a set-up surface for standing objects, in particular bowling pins, and with a set-up device as described above arranged in the proximity of the set-up surface.

The invention will now be elucidated on the basis of an embodiment, wherein reference is made to the annexed drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a partly broken away perspective rear view of a set-up device according to the invention,

Fig. 2 shows a partly broken away perspective view of the positioning means of this device as according to arrow II in fig. 1, and

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the pick-up and replacing means of the set-up device according to the invention. A device 1 for setting up a number of bowling pins 9 in a determined pattern on a ground 57 (fig. 1) is provided with means 2 for supplying pins 9 , means 3 connected thereto for positioning pins 9 in the pattern, and means 4 for lowering and placing the pins 9 positioned in the desired pattern onto the ground 57. The supply means 2 are herein formed by a substantially vertically directed belt conveyor which consists of an endless belt 6 trained round two reversing rollers 10, 74 and driven by a motor 12, and on which a number of compartments is formed. Upper reversing roller 74 herein has a larger diameter than lower reversing roller 10 and two guide rollers 75 are placed on either side of belt 6 directly beneath upper reversing roller 74. A portion inclining toward the positioning means 3 is hereby formed. The compartments, which have practically the same dimensions as the pins 9 for transporting, are defined by flaps 7 which can be manufactured integrally with belt 6, and are then therefore slightly flexible, or which can be releasably connected to belt 6, in which case flaps 7 can be form-retaining plastic parts. The vertical conveyor scoops pins 9 at the bottom from the end of a horizontal discharge conveyor 8 connecting onto the set-up surface 57 for pins 9 and carries them upward as according to arrow S. Pins 9 leave the conveyor at the position of the inclining portion at the top through an opening arranged in the housing 13 of the conveyor. The pins fall herefrom into a receiving chute 14 which is provided with a specially formed recess 15 whereby pins 9 are always aligned in the same manner. Pins 9 are thus always passed to positioning mechanism 3 with their belly 35 directed to the front and their neck 36 to the rear.

Positioning mechanism 3 has a plate-like receiving member 37 with a number of openings 38, the shape and dimensions of which correspond with those of pins 9. The positioning mechanism further has a conveyor 16 which is displaceable relative to openings 38. Conveyor 16 is a belt conveyor in the shown embodiment with an endless belt 17 transported over two reversing rollers 18, 19. Belt 17 is driven by a motor 77. In order to enable transport of pins 9 from receiving chute 14 to each of the openings 38 the conveyor 16 is not only pivotable on an axis 26 as according to arrow P but can also be extended as according to arrow E. For this purpose it comprises two intermediate rollers 20, 21 wherein intermediate roller 20 is accommodated fixedly in a frame 22 relative to reversing roller 18, while intermediate roller 21 is accommodated with reversing roller 19 in a second frame 23 which is slidable relative to fixed frame 22. This latter has a bearing housing 24 having arranged therein a number of bearing rollers 25 between which frame 23 is movable. Use is made of a pneumatic cylinder 76 to extend the second frame 23. The pivoting movement of the conveyor is driven by a motor 27 which via a right-angled transmission drives an output shaft 72 and a friction roller 28 arranged thereon. Shaft 72 is herein mounted in a carrier 73 connected to frame 22. Carrier 73 further has a second passive tracking roller 36. In order to be able to determine the position of conveyor 16, and thus be able to control the pivoting motor, output shaft 72 is provided with a pattern 29 and a pulse generator 30 U) L t t

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relatively large angle and there is therefore the danger that they could shoot out of their guide if this were to have a relatively low, inclining outer wall 39.

Positioning mechanism 3 is further provided with means 42 arranged under the openings 38 in receiving member 37 for supporting the pins 9 situated therein. These supporting means 42 are formed in the shown embodiment by a plate-like member 43 having therein a number of releasing openings 44 which correspond in both shape and number with receiving openings 38. Plate-like supporting member 43 is slidable relative to receiving member 37. Supporting member 43 has a first position in which openings 44 are shifted slightly relative to openings 38 in receiving member 37, so that these receiving openings 38 are therefore partially closed and the pins present therein are supported along their periphery. The supporting member is displaceable from this position as according to arrow D to a second position in which openings 38 and 44 in both plates 37 and 43 lie precisely in register with each other and the openings 38 are therefore left completely clear so that the pins 9 situated therein drop downward into the set-up elements or holders 45 to be discussed hereinbelow.

These holders or "cups" 45, the form and dimensions of which correspond with those of a pin 9, are suspended pivotally from transverse shafts 46 which are arranged in a frame 47 and operated by pneumatic cylinders 79. Holders 45 are formed such that pins 9 are also supported stably therein in the vertical position. The underside of each pin 9 herein protrudes slightly outside holder 45 so that pins 9 can be set down on the set-up surface 57, whereafter holders 45 can be retracted and carried upward again. For raising and lowering as according to arrow V of the frame 47, also designated as "table", which carries holders 45, use is made of a construction as described in the American patent 5.193.804, of which applicant is now the proprietor. Table 47 is suspended for this purpose from two rods 48 which each have a gear rack part 49. Two tooth wheels 51 placed on a collective driven shaft 50 are present to displace the gear racks 48.

Table 47 also supports via legs 90 the means 80 for picking up the still standing pins 9 from the set-up surface 57 and for re-placing thereof after the fallen pins 9 are removed (fig. 3) . These pick-up and re-placing means 80 are formed in per se known manner by a number, corresponding with the number of pins 9, of sets of fingers 81, 82 which are movable in each case relative to each other. These fingers 81, 82 are accommodated rotatably in a frame 83 which has openings 84 for passage of holders 45 and pins 9. Fingers 81, 82 are driven collectively in conventional manner by a system of parallel actuating rods 85 which are connected by a coupling rod 86. Fingers 81, 82 are herein connected to each other and to actuating rods 85 such that from the opened starting position one of the fingers 81 is first moved toward the other finger 82 and then, when resistance is encountered from for instance the neck of pin 9, this finger 81 comes to a stop, whereafter the other finger 82 is moved toward it until the fingers 81, 82 eventually close round the neck 36 of pin 9. If no upright pin 9 protrudes through opening 84, finger 81 moves fully against the other finger 82. In the conventional device a contact is in this case closed, this representing an indication for the absence of a pin 9 in the opening, which therefore has evidently been knocked over. The score is kept in this way. In the set- up device according to the invention however, the score is kept in optical manner by means of a camera 88 directed at set-up surface 57. The electrical contacts and associated wiring to the fingers can thus be omitted. The score camera 88 is herein also connected to image processing means, for instance in the form of a computer, with which it is possible on the basis of a special algorithm to derive from the recording made by camera 88 which bowling pins 9 are still standing. In the set-up device according to the invention the fingers 81, 82 are now driven pneumatically by means of a cylinder 87. For control of the table 47 with the pick-up and re-placing frame 83 suspended therefrom the device has means for detecting the position of each of the fingers 81, 82. These position detecting means are formed in the shown embodiment by a single sensor 89 which can detect for instance the position of a marking element 91 on one of the actuating rods 85. Because all fingers 81, 82 are driven collectively, this single detection represents a sufficient indication of the position of all fingers 81, 82.

In order to prevent a delivered ball 60 and fallen pins 9 striking with force against the elevator mechanism at the rear of the device, a blocking member or "cushion plank" 92 is arranged with small interspacing above discharge conveyor 8 on the rear side of set-up surface 57. This blocking member 92, which is covered with a layer of absorbing material such as for instance rubber, is suspended from two arms 93 which are connected to a transverse shaft 94 which in turn is pivotally mounted in a number of bearings 95 connected to the frame of the device. In order to damp the pivoting movement of blocking member 92 a horizontally directed shock absorber 96 is connected to at least one of the arms 93. This horizontal arrangement of shock absorber 96, which results in a good damping, is possible because the blocking member in the device according to the invention does not serve as indication that a ball has been delivered. The switch (es) present for this purpose in conventional bowling installations and connected to blocking member 92 is therefore omitted. In order to detect that a ball 60 has been delivered use is now made of an optical sensor on the front side of set-up surface 57, for instance in the form of a light source 100 and a light-sensitive cell 101 placed opposite. The distance between blocking member 92 and conveyor 8 is otherwise chosen such that the pins 9, but not the ball 60, can pass beneath the blocking member. Arranged on the top of blocking member 92 is a mat (not shown here) which is connected to the frame of the device and serves to prevent pins 9 bouncing over blocking member 92. For sweeping of the fallen pins 9 from the set-up surface 57 to the discharge conveyor the device is provided with a per se known slide or "sweep" 52 which is movable downward after a delivery and which is displaceable as according to arrow SW over set-up surface 57. Slide 52 is suspended from two toothed transport belts 56 which are driven by toothed wheels 54 connected to a motor (not shown) and arranged on a collective drive shaft 53.

Discharge conveyor 8 is formed by an endless belt 97 trained round two reversing rollers 98, one of which is driven by a motor 99. The plane of conveyor 8 inclines slightly in transverse direction in order to urge a ball lying against blocking member 92 to a side of the device. At the position of blocking member 92 a widening channel is moreover formed in a support plate arranged under the transporting part of belt 97, whereby ball 60 is urged even more strongly to the side. Motor 99 is controllable and can be temporarily stopped when a large number of pins 9 are knocked down simultaneously. An accumulation of pins 9 at the end of discharge conveyor 8 is thus prevented when elevator conveyor 6 cannot process the supply of pins 9 quickly enough. The danger of the device jamming is thus minimized.

As is usual, the bowling installation also comprises means 5 for returning the delivered bowling ball 60 from the position of the pins 9. Either as a result of the slope of conveyor 8 or of rolling through one of the gutters 71 arranged on either side of lane 70, each ball 60 finishes up in a transverse gutter 61. This latter is closed by a sliding door 62 which is operated by a pneumatic cylinder 63. One ball 60 at a time is thus fed to the return means 5. These return means 5 are herein formed by a push-back member displaceable through a determined stroke length by a drive mechanism. In the shown embodiment the push-back member consists of an arm 64 which is pivotable on a shaft 58 as according to arrow R. Pivot arm 64 is provided with a foot 65 which is arranged close to its outer end and which can be placed into contact with the ball . The drive mechanism is further formed by a pneumatic cylinder 66. By extending this cylinder the ball 60 is as it were "kicked back" through a gutter 67 and via an inclining gutter part 68 eventually finishes up in a collecting gutter 69 at the side of the lane 70 where the players are to be found.

Because the different components of the set-up device according to the invention as discussed above are each independently controllable, the set-up device can fulfill considerably more different functions than conventional bowling installations. In addition, the device is hereby very suitable for use in combination with advanced control systems. Further, due to the chosen form and operation of the different components a greater speed, better reliability and less susceptibility to maintenance are achieved, while the cost and weight of the device are also greatly reduced. Particularly the large scale use of easily controllable, accurate and light pneumatic drives plays a major role here. A further advantage of the use of pneumatic drives is that tracing and analysis of disturbances is greatly simplified hereby .

Although the invention is described above with reference to one embodiment, it will be apparent to the skilled person that it is not limited thereto. Only a few of the described components could for instance be individually incorporated into an otherwise conventional set-up device while still retaining the advantages resulting therefrom. The scope of the invention is therefore defined solely by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Device for setting up a number of standing objects, in particular bowling pins, in a determined pattern on a ground, comprising means for supplying the bowling pins, means connected to the supply means for positioning the supplied bowling pins in the determined pattern and means connected to the positioning means for moving the bowling pins to the ground and setting them down thereon, characterized in that the supply means comprise at least one substantially vertically running belt conveyor.

2. Set-up device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the belt conveyor comprises an endless belt with a number of compartments formed thereon, the dimensions of which correspond with those of a bowling pin.

3. Set-up device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the compartments are formed by slightly flexible flaps formed integrally with the belt.

4. Set-up device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the compartments are formed by form-retaining flaps connected releasably to the belt.

5. Set-up device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the belt conveyor has close to its top side a portion inclining in the direction of the positioning means.

6. Set-up device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims or the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the positioning means comprise a receiving member with a number of openings and at least one conveyor displaceable relative to the openings, wherein the form and dimensions of each of the openings correspond with those of a bowling pin.

7. Set-up device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the conveyor is pivotable substantially parallel to the plane of the receiving member and is connected drivably to controllable pivoting means .

8. Set-up device as claimed in claim 7, characterized by means for detecting the position of the conveyor which are connected for signal generation to the pivoting means .

9. Set-up device as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the pivoting means comprise a motor and the detecting means are formed by a pulse generator connected to a shaft of the motor.

10. Set-up device as claimed in any of the claims 6-9, characterized in that the conveyor is extensible and connected drivably to controllable extending means .

11. Set-up device as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the conveyor is telescopic and the extending means comprise at least one pneumatic cylinder.

12. Set-up device as claimed in any of the claims 6-11 or the preamble of claim 1, characterized by means arranged under the openings in the receiving member for supporting bowling pins situated therein, which supporting means are displaceable between a position at least partially closing the opening and a position leaving the opening completely clear.

13. Set-up device as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the supporting means are formed by a member which is slidable relative to the receiving member and has a number of releasing openings corresponding with the number of receiving openings .

14. Set-up device as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the receiving member and the supporting member each take the form of a plate .

15. Set-up device as claimed in any of the claims 6-14, further provided with means co-acting with the receiving openings for guiding the supplied pins therein, characterized in that the guide means for each receiving opening are formed by a set of standing wall parts which are arranged on either side thereof and which are each provided on their top side with a slide edge.

16. Set-up device as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that the slide edge is manufactured from a material with a low frictional resistance.

17. Set-up device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims or the preamble of claim 1, further provided with means displaceable in vertical direction for picking up the still standing pins from the ground and re-placing thereof once the fallen pins have been removed, which pick-up and re-placing means comprise a number, corresponding with the number of pins, of sets of fingers movable relative to each other by means of a drive, characterized in that the drive is a pneumatic drive .

18. Set-up device as claimed in claim 17, characterized by connected means for detecting the position of each set of fingers.

19. Set-up device as claimed in claim 18, characterized in that the fingers are connected to a collective drive the position detection means comprise a single sensor.

20. Set-up device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims or the preamble of claim 1, further provided with means for returning a rollable object, in particular a bowling ball, from the position of the pins, characterized in that the return means comprise at least one push-back member displaceable through a stroke length and a drive mechanism connected thereto.

21. Set-up device as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that the push-back member comprises a pivotable arm with a foot connected thereto close to its outer end for placing into contact with the ball.

22. Set-up device as claimed in claim 20 or 21, characterized in that the drive means comprise at least one pneumatic cylinder.

23. Set-up device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims or the preamble of claim 1, further provided with a blocking member pivotable on a horizontal shaft and with means connected thereto for damping the pivoting movement, characterized in that the damping means are directed horizontally.

24. Set-up device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims or the preamble of claim 1, further provided with a conveyor for discharging knocked over objects, characterized in that the discharge conveyor is connected to a separate drive .

25. Set-up device as claimed in claim 24, characterized in that the drive is controllable.

26. Playing surface, in particular a bowling alley, which is provided with a substantially flat lane which is elongate in top view and at the one end of which is defined a set-up surface for standing objects, in particular bowling pins, and with a set-up device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims arranged in the proximity of the set-up surface.