Panel structure for a bowling lane

Abstract

A panel structure for a bowling lane may include a lane panel having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface forming a bowling surface of the bowling lane. An underlayment may be disposed adjacent the lane panel. A tapered hole may extend from the first surface of the lane panel to the second surface of the lane panel. The area of the hole may be larger at the first surface than at the second surface. The panel structure may also include a fastener having a head and a securing portion. The head may be disposed in the tapered hole and may have a wall having a taper at substantially the same angle as the tapered hole. The securing portion may extend from the head into the underlayment.

1 . A panel structure for a bowling lane, comprising: 
 a lane panel having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface forming a bowling surface of the bowling lane;    an underlayment adjacent the lane panel;    a tapered hole extending from the first surface of the lane panel to the second surface of the lane panel, wherein the area of the tapered hole is larger at the first surface than at the second surface; and    a fastener having a head and a securing portion, the head being disposed in the tapered hole and having a wall having a taper at substantially the same angle as the tapered hole, the securing portion extending from the head into the underlayment.    
   
   
       2 . The panel structure of  claim 1 , wherein the tapered hole is a conical frustum.  
   
   
       3 . The panel structure of  claim 1 , wherein the head includes a recess formed therein, the recess being configured to receive a tool.  
   
   
       4 . The panel structure of  claim 3 , wherein the recess is configured to receive one of a hex socket wrench and a spanner wrench.  
   
   
       5 . The panel structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a plug disposed within the tapered hole above the fastener.  
   
   
       6 . The panel structure of  claim 5 , wherein the plug includes an upper surface substantially flush with the first surface of the lane panel.  
   
   
       7 . The panel structure of  claim 5 , wherein the plug includes a wall tapered at substantially the same angle as the tapered wall of the tapered hole.  
   
   
       8 . The panel structure of  claim 5 , wherein the head includes a recess formed in a top surface, the plug including a projection configured to project into the recess.  
   
   
       9 . The panel structure of  claim 5 , wherein the plug comprises a generally fluid material.  
   
   
       10 . The panel structure of  claim 9 , wherein the plug is formed of urethane.  
   
   
       11 . The panel structure of  claim 5 , wherein the plug and the head are attached by a ball joint.  
   
   
       12 . The panel structure of  claim 1 , wherein the head of the fastener has a thickness less than a thickness of the lane panel.  
   
   
       13 . The panel structure of  claim 1 , further comprising an insert disposed in the underlayment, the insert being configured to receive the securing portion of the fastener.  
   
   
       14 . The panel structure of  claim 13 , wherein the insert is threaded.  
   
   
       15 . The panel structure of  claim 1 , wherein the head and the securing portion are integral.  
   
   
       16 . The panel structure of  claim 1 , wherein the head is configured to connect onto the securing portion.  
   
   
       17 . The panel structure of  claim 1 , wherein the securing portion includes a first section and a second section, the first section being configured to attach to the head and the second section extending into the underlayment.  
   
   
       18 . A bowling lane, comprising: 
 a pin deck;    a lane adjacent the pin deck, the lane having a panel structure including 
 a lane panel having a top surface and a bottom surface;  
 an underlayment adjacent the lane panel;  
 a hole formed though the lane panel, the hole being shaped as a frustum; and  
 a fastener having a head and a securing portion, the head being configured to fit in the hole and having a tapered portion tapered at substantially the same angle as the taper of the wall of the hole, the securing portion being configured to connect to the underlayment, wherein the fastener is configured such that the tapered portion contacts the wall of the hole and is configured to apply a force to urge the lane panel toward the underlayment.  
   
   
   
       19 . The bowling lane of  claim 18 , wherein the hole is a conical frustum.  
   
   
       20 . The bowling lane of  claim 18 , wherein the head includes a recess formed therein, the recess being configured to receive a tool.  
   
   
       21 . The bowling lane of  claim 20 , wherein the recess is configured to receive one of a hex socket wrench and a spanner wrench.  
   
   
       22 . The bowling lane of  claim 18 , further comprising a plug disposed within the hole above the fastener.  
   
   
       23 . The bowling lane of  claim 22 , wherein the plug includes an upper surface substantially flush with the top surface of the lane panel.  
   
   
       24 . The bowling lane of  claim 22 , wherein the plug includes a wall tapered at substantially the same angle as the tapered wall of the hole.  
   
   
       25 . The bowling lane of  claim 22 , wherein the head includes a recess formed in a top surface, the plug including a projection configured to project into the recess.  
   
   
       26 . The bowling lane of  claim 22 , wherein the plug comprises a generally fluid material.  
   
   
       27 . The bowling lane of  claim 26 , wherein the plug is formed of urethane.  
   
   
       28 . The bowling lane of  claim 22 , wherein the plug and the head are attached to each other by a ball joint.  
   
   
       29 . The bowling lane of  claim 18 , wherein the head of the fastener has a thickness less than thickness of the lane panel.  
   
   
       30 . The bowling lane of  claim 18 , further comprising an insert disposed in the underlayment, the insert being configured to receive the securing portion of the fastener.  
   
   
       31 . The bowling lane of  claim 30 , wherein the insert is threaded.  
   
   
       32 . The bowling lane of  claim 18 , wherein the head and the securing portion are integral.  
   
   
       33 . The bowling lane of  claim 18 , wherein the head is configured to connect onto the securing portion.  
   
   
       34 . The bowling lane of  claim 18 , wherein the securing portion includes a first section and a second section, the first section being configured to attach to the head and the second section extending into the underlayment.  
   
   
       35 . A method for installing a bowling lane, comprising: 
 forming a tapered hole in a lane panel, the lane panel having a top and a bottom surface, the tapered hole extending from the top surface of the lane panel to the bottom surface of the lane panel, wherein the area of the tapered hole is larger at the top surface than at the bottom surface;    placing the lane panel on an underlayment;    driving a securing portion of a fastener into the underlayment; and    driving a head of the fastener into the tapered hole in the lane panel, the head having a wall having a taper at substantially the same angle as the tapered hole.    
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein forming the tapered hole includes forming the tapered hole in the shape of a conical frustum.  
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein driving the head of the fastener includes placing a tool in a recess formed in the head.  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising installing a plug into the tapered hole above the head of the fastener.  
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein installing the plug includes aligning the plug so that a top surface of the plug is substantially flush with the top surface of the lane panel.  
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein installing the plug includes introducing a projection on the plug into a recess formed in the top surface of the head.  
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein installing the plug comprises inserting a generally fluid material into the tapered hole above the head of the fastener.  
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein inserting a generally fluid material includes pouring a urethane material into the tapered hole.  
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the generally fluid material is one of an epoxy, a putty material, and a polymer.  
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 38 , comprising snapping the plug onto the head.  
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein installing a plug into the tapered hole includes connecting a ball joint to attach the plug to the head.  
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising: 
 forming a hole in the underlayment; and    introducing an insert into the hole in the underlayment, the insert being configured to receive the securing portion of the fastener.    
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein driving the insert into the underlayment includes threading the securing portion into the insert.  
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein driving a head of the fastener includes attaching the head to the securing portion.