Bowling Ball Stop Assembly

Abstract

A bowling ball stop assembly for a pinsetter of a bowling lane is provided. The bowling ball stop assembly can include a moveable blocking feature that moves between a plurality of positions. The plurality of positions include an extended position with the stop arranged in front of the pinsetter to block or obstruct bowling balls moving down the bowling lane, and a retracted position with the stop raised away from the bowling lane to allow passage of bowling balls and the play of bowling games thereon. The bowling ball stop assembly further includes a frame supporting the blocking feature and configured to guide or facilitate control of movement thereof between the extended and retracted positions. Other aspects also are described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pinsetter assembly for a bowling lane, comprising:
 a pinsetter configured to set bowling pins for play of a bowling game on the bowling lane; and   a bowling ball stop assembly coupled to the pinsetter, the bowling stop assembly including:
 a moveable stop configured to be movable between a plurality of positions including an extended position with the stop located and arranged in front of the pinsetter to block or obstruct bowling balls moving down the bowling lane, and a retracted position, wherein the stop is moved away from the bowling lane to allow passage of bowling balls and the play of the bowling game thereon, and 
 an adjustable frame including a plurality of supports connected to the stop and rotatably or pivotally attached to the pinsetter, the frame being operable to control movement of the stop between the extended and retracted positions. 
   
     
     
         2 . The pinsetter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein when the stop is in the extended position, the stop defines a secured area sized, dimensioned, or configured to enable one or more workers to service to the pinsetter, while being sufficiently protected from bowling bowls moving down the bowling lane. 
     
     
         3 . The pinsetter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the stop includes a board or panel formed from a heavy-duty, substantially impact-resistant material. 
     
     
         4 . The pinsetter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the stop includes a body that is sized, dimensioned, or configured to extend substantially across the bowling lane, and has a height sufficient to block a bowling ball moving along the bowling lane. 
     
     
         5 . The pinsetter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the stop further includes side portions that at least partially project into gutters of the bowling lane to substantially obstruct bowling balls moving therealong, when the stop is the extended position. 
     
     
         6 . The pinsetter assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the stop includes one or more recesses configured to at least partially receive bowling lane bumpers to allow the stop to be deployed to the extended position, at least partially projecting into the gutters and with the bowling lane bumpers in a raised orientation or position. 
     
     
         7 . The pinsetter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the stop further includes one or more cushioning members located along a bottom portion thereof to at least partially engage a surface of the bowling lane so as to substantially inhibit or reduce scratching, scuffing, or damage of the surface of the bowling lane. 
     
     
         8 . The pinsetter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of supports includes a set of spaced supports located on opposite sides of the frame, and a cross-wise support that extends between and connects the spaced supports, wherein the stop is connected to distal ends of the spaced supports, and the cross-wise support is rotatably coupled to the pinsetter,
 wherein the frame has a handle configured to move the stop between its retracted and extended positions, with a distal end of the handle coupled to the cross-wise support such that movement of the handle in a substantially forward or rearward direction causes rotation of the cross-wise support to move the spaced supports and stop between its retracted and extended positions; and   wherein the frame has one or more biasing members arranged therealong, the biasing members configured to provide a biasing force to urge the stop towards its retracted position as the stop is raised from the bowling lane, and to provide resistance as the stop is lowered to the extended position.   
     
     
         9 . The pinsetter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the pinsetter includes a string pinsetter or free fall pinsetter. 
     
     
         10 . A bowling ball stop assembly for a pinsetter of a bowling lane, comprising:
 a moveable blocking feature that is moveable between a plurality of positions, including an extended position with the stop arranged along the bowling lane in front of the pinsetter to block or obstruct bowling balls moving down the bowling lane, and a retracted position with the stop substantially raised away or spaced from the bowling lane to allow passage of bowling balls and play of bowling games thereon, and   a frame including a plurality of supports supporting the blocking feature and configured to guide or facilitate control of movement of the blocking feature between the extended and retracted positions.   
     
     
         11 . The bowling ball stop assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of supports include a set of spaced supports located on opposite sides of the frame, and a cross-wise support that extends between and connects the spaced supports, wherein the blocking feature is connected to distal ends of the spaced supports, and the cross-wise support is pivotally coupled to the pinsetter. 
     
     
         12 . The bowling ball stop assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the frame further comprises a handle attached thereto and configured to move the blocking feature between its retracted and extended positions, wherein a distal end of the handle is coupled to the cross-wise support so that movement of the handle causes rotation thereof to move the spaced supports and the blocking feature between the retracted and extended positions. 
     
     
         13 . The bowling ball stop assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the frame further comprises one or more biasing members coupled to the spaced supports to provide biased assistance as the blocking feature is raised towards its retracted position and resistance as the blocking feature is lowered to its extended position. 
     
     
         14 . The bowling ball stop assembly of  claim 13 , where the handle includes one or more structure locking features for locking or otherwise securing the blocking feature in the retracted or extended positions. 
     
     
         15 . The bowling ball stop assembly of  claim 10 , wherein at least a portion of the blocking feature and at least a portion of the spaced supports are configured to be received within gutters of the bowling lane when the blocking feature is in its extended position. 
     
     
         16 . The bowling ball stop assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the blocking feature includes a board or panel formed from a heavy-duty, substantially impact-resistant material that is sized, dimensioned, or configured to extend across the bowling lane, and with a height sufficient to block bowling balls moving along the bowling lane. 
     
     
         17 . The bowling ball stop assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the blocking feature includes one or more recesses to allow the stop to be deployed to the extended position, with portions of the blocking feature projecting into gutters of the bowling lane while bowling lane bumpers are in an raised position.