Bowling center system

Abstract

A bowling center system includes: a bowling lane; a plurality of pins positionable at predetermined points on the bowling lane; a plurality of strings, associated at one end, with a corresponding pin ( 2 ); for each string, a constrain system positioned above the bowling lane and having the other end of each string connected to it; a pulley system for managing the strings, positioned between the connecting system and the pins and including a motor-driven drawbar operatively configured to manage a predetermined length of each string present along the pulley system; the drawbar is movable between a first position, allowing the pins to be lifted from the bowling lane, and a second position, allowing not only the pins to be lowered onto the bowling lane into the predetermined position but also each string to be slackened by the release of a further first working length so that the pins can fall freely when struck by a ball thrown along the lane or by other pins struck by the ball during play; a control device for controlling the position of the movable drawbar; and a drive and selection system connected to the movable drawbar and to the control device and configured to allow the movable drawbar to move, when required, to at least a further, third operating position allowing the string to be slackened by the release of a second working length different from the first working length of string released when the second operating position is reached.

1 . A bowling center system comprising at least:
 a plurality of strings, associated at one end, with a corresponding pin of a plurality of pins;   a pulley system operatively configured to manage a predetermined length of each string of the plurality of strings present along the pulley system; and   a control system configured to allow working lengths of the plurality of strings and movement of the pins, including:
 a first position of game preparation, allowing the pins to be lifted from a bowling lane, 
 a second operating game position, allowing the pins to be lowered onto the bowling lane into the predetermined position and the string to be slackened by the release of a first working length, after the pins have been positioned, so that the pins can fall freely when struck by a ball thrown along the lane or by other pins struck by the ball during play, and 
 a third operating game position, allowing the string to be slackened by release of a second working length different from the first working length of the string released when the second operating game position is reached and the pins have been positioned. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the pulley system comprises a fixed pulley subsystem for each string and configured to allow each pin to be positioned at the predetermined position. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a stabilizing unit comprising openings each of which engage with the corresponding pin of the plurality of pins when the pins are in the first position. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein each string of the strings extend through a respective opening of the openings when the pins are in the second operating game position. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the control system includes a control device configured to measure and check a length of the string. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 5 , wherein the control device comprises a drive motor unit for measuring the length of the string. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein the drive motor unit comprises Hall effect assemblies or probes for controlling the position of the string. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein the drive motor unit unreels the strings. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising tensioning elements, independent of each other and each acting on a corresponding string. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein the tensioning elements are configured to modify a total length of each string available between the tensioning element itself and the corresponding pin. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the control system controls play between the second operating game position and the third operating game position. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the control system comprises a control device and a control, drive and selection system. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the control, drive and selection system is connected to the control device. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the control system is structured to release the strings in longer or shorter lengths depending on what type of operating configuration is required. 
     
     
         15 . A bowling center system comprising:
 a plurality of pins positionable at predetermined points on a bowling lane;   a plurality of strings, associated at one end, with a corresponding pin of the plurality of pins;   a pulley system operatively configured to manage a predetermined length of each string present along the pulley system;   a control system structured to be able to configure release of the strings in longer or shorter lengths depending on a type of operating configuration, which comprises:
 a first position of game preparation in which the strings are in a first length; 
 a second operating game position in which the strings are in a second length and the pins are in a lowered position onto the bowling lane into a predetermined position; and 
 a third operating game position in which the strings are in a third length in which the string is slackened by release of a working length different from the second length when the pins are in the lowered position. 
   
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 15 , further comprising a stabilizing unit comprising openings each of which engage with the corresponding pin of the plurality of pins when the pins are in the first position. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein the strings extend through the respective openings when the pins are in the second operating game position and the third operating game position. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 15 , further comprising a unit to measure the length of the string. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 15 , further comprising tensioning elements, independent of each other and each acting on a corresponding string, wherein the tensioning elements are configured to modify a total length of each string available between the tensioning element itself and the corresponding pin. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the system control controls play between the operating configurations. 
     
     
         21 . A bowling center system comprising at least:
 a plurality of strings, associated at one end, with a corresponding pin of a plurality of pins;   at least one control system configured to allow working lengths of the plurality of strings and movement of the pins between different operating positions, including:
 a first position of game preparation in which the pins are lifted from a bowling lane, 
 a second operating game position in which the pins are lowered onto the bowling lane and the string is slackened by release of a first working length, after the pins have been positioned on the bowling lane, and 
 a third operating game position in which the string is further slackened by release of a second working length greater than the first working length when the pins are on the bowling lane.