String bowling pin bushing

Abstract

A string bowling pin as described herein incorporates one or more improvements that extend the time between maintenance and repair events that might otherwise be required at the place where the string leads from the top of the pin. A free-floating bushing improves the longevity of the string and pin connection. In another example, a radiused opening at the top of the pin improves the longevity of the string and pin connection. Also, both the improved bushing and radiused opening at the top of the pin, either alone or together, make the pin less likely to tangle with other strings and pins during use.

1 . A string bowling pin and bushing combination comprising:
 a bowling pin comprising a base, a body, a head, and a top of the head;   wherein the bowling pin has a hole inside the pin that includes an opening at the top of the head of the pin, wherein the opening has a first diameter at the top of the pin;   a string attached to the bowling pin inside the hole and extending outwardly through the hole and out of the opening from the top of the pin;   a free-floating bushing comprising a hollow tube having a base portion, wherein the bushing is mounted around the string and is slidable along the length of the string and is freely rotatable around the string; and   the bushing is not fixed to the pin.   
     
     
         2 . A string bowling pin as described in  claim 1 ,
 further comprising a clip fixed to the string above the bushing whereby longitudinal movement of the bushing is restrained.   
     
     
         3 . A string bowling pin as described in  claim 1 ,
 wherein the base portion has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter of the opening at the top of the pin.   
     
     
         4 . A string bowling pin as described in  claim 1 ,
 wherein the hole opening defines an edge, and the edge has a vertical cross-section along an axis of the height of the pin, and the edge is radiused in the vertical cross-section.   
     
     
         5 . A string bowling pin as described in  claim 4 ,
 wherein the radiused edge has a circular curve in the vertical cross-section.   
     
     
         6 . A string bowling pin as described in  claim 4 ,
 wherein the radiused edge has a chamfered slope in the vertical cross-section.   
     
     
         7 . A string bowling pin as described in  claim 1 ,
 further comprising a cannulated plug adapted to fit into the hole, wherein the plug has a channel therethrough adapted to receive the string and allow it to pass through, and a top of the plug that defines the hole opening from which the string extends out of the pin.   
     
     
         8 . A string bowling pin as described in  claim 7 ,
 wherein the plug is formed of metal.   
     
     
         9 . A string bowling pin as described in  claim 7 ,
 wherein the plug is formed of plastic.   
     
     
         10 . A string bowling pin as described in  claim 1 ,
 wherein the base portion of the bushing is circular.   
     
     
         11 . A string bowling pin as described in  claim 1 ,
 wherein the base portion of the bushing comprises fins, and the fins define a diameter greater than the first diameter of the opening.   
     
     
         12 . A string bowling pin comprising:
 a bowling pin comprising a base, a body, a head, and a top of the head;   wherein the bowling pin has a hole inside the pin that includes an opening at the top of the pin, wherein the opening has a first diameter at the top of the pin;   a string attached to the bowling pin in the hole and extending outwardly through the hole and out the opening from the top of the pin;   wherein the opening defines an edge, and the edge has a vertical cross-section along an axis of the height of the pin, and the edge is radiused in cross-section,   and the first diameter at the top of the pin is about 10-20 mm.   
     
     
         13 . A string bowling pin as described in  claim 12 ,
 wherein the radiused edge has a circular curve in the vertical cross-section.   
     
     
         14 . A string bowling pin as described in  claim 12 ,
 wherein the radiused edge has a chamfered slope in the vertical cross-section.   
     
     
         15 . A string bowling pin as described in  claim 12 ,
 further comprising a cannulated plug adapted to fit into the hole, wherein the plug has a channel therethrough adapted to receive the string and allow it to pass through it, and a top of the plug that defines the hole opening from which the string extends.   
     
     
         16 . A string bowling pin as described in  claim 15 ,
 wherein the plug is formed of metal.   
     
     
         17 . A string bowling pin as described in  claim 15 ,
 wherein the plug is formed of plastic.