PROTECTION DEVICE FOR A BOWLING MACHINE

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention concerns a guard for a bowling machine, where the bowling machine is provided at a second end of a bowling alley and intended for collecting a number of play objects, preferably a bowling ball and a number of pins, and wherein the bowling machine is provided with one or more mechanical means and at least one control unit for arranging the play objects at predetermined positions close to the first and second ends of the bowling alley, where the bowling machine is provided with a play guard at the part of the bowling machine facing the bowling alley, where the play guard is provided with a play opening for passage of a bowling ball.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Bowling is most often played in bowling halls where a number of parallel bowling alley provide for the player to roll the bowling ball from a first end of the bowling alley against an array of a number of pins at the second end of the bowling alley. At this second end of each bowling alley there is provided a bowling machine which is adapted to receive bowling balls and bowling pins and to bring these play objects into position for every new shot by the bowling player. Bowling pins are collected and via a transport mechanism brought to an elevating/lowering frame with pin grippers, whereby the pins can be disposed at the second end of the bowling alley. Bowling balls are collected and via a conveyor belt brought back to a depot near the player at the first end of the bowling alley.

[0003] Bowling machines are thus typically arranged side-by-side in bowling halls in order thereby to serve each their bowling alley. The bowling machines are most often disposed in an elongated, narrow compartment where there is only very little space around the bowling machine.

[0004] If during operation a bowling machine makes an unplanned stop and is to be inspected, it is therefore necessary that the operator inspecting the bowling machine has to pass close behind or across a number of bowling machines, which most often are in use. Such a passage across a bowling machine during operation is a great hazard to the operators, since they by an erratic movement may fall down into the bowling machine with ensuing risk to life and use of the limbs.

[0005] US-A-4 045024 discloses an example of a guard for a bowling machine. A further example is known from CN 2499079.

Object of the Invention

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide an operationally friendly guard in a bowling machine as well as a method for operating the guard, which safeguards the operator against the danger associated with passing a number of operating bowling machines.

Description of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, this object is achieved by a guard according to claim 1.

[0008] Hereby is achieved that the operator may pass across one or more bowling machines during operation without risking falling down into a such. This may e.g. be in order to reach a bowling machine which is to be serviced after an unplanned interruption, while bowling is played on one or more of the remaining bowling alleys. At the same time it is achieved that the guard can be opened by mechanical means when the bowling machine is to be serviced, thus facilitating the servicing work for the operator.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, in the closed position the guard may furthermore be provided with a complete or partial shielding of the sides of the bowling machine, preferably the sides facing away from the play guard.

[0010] By a shield or guard of the sides of the bowling machine, the operator is further safeguarded against life and mobility hazards in that the operator e.g. does not risk getting his limbs jammed in an operating bowling machine, if the operator accidentally should slide down between the upper guard of two bowling machines and into the side of the bowling machine.

[0011] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the guard is provided with an opening switch for stopping the operation of the bowling machine by changing the position of the guard from the closed position to an open position.

[0012] That the bowling machine is stopped automatically if the guard is changed from the safe closed position is an efficient safeguard against the risk of the operator getting dangerously close to a bowling machine in operation. Advantageously, it may be the main power supply to the entire individual bowling machine which is interrupted. Thereby the risk that possible fault current keeps the machine operating is avoided, and at the same time stopping of other close-lying bowling alleys during maintenance of a single bowling machine is avoided as well.

[0013] By a further variant of the invention, an opening switch may be an electric switch, e.g. of the magnetic switch type, which by pulling out a magnet from the switch causes interruption of electric current through the switch.

[0014] An electric switch provides a simple and reliable method of interrupting the current since by the arranging of the control unit for the bowling machine an electric circuit can be designed so it has to be connected in order for the bowling machine to operate.

[0015] The electric switch can be made in all prior art variants of a such, as the specific design of the guard is adapted to the selected electric switch. Examples may be a press button with spring, toggle switch with spring, photo cell, moving sensor or fork switch. It may also be a switch of the magnetic switch type where interruption of the power occurs as soon as two magnets in the switch are not disposed in the basic position opposite each other, as one magnet is lifted up together with the guard. Correspondingly, power is switched on when the magnet is disposed correctly in the switch again. By coding there is provided for the magnet switch not being actuated by commonly occurring magnets. The latter design of the switch will provide great safety against faulty operation, as it is a simple mechanical solution without any springs or other delicate mechanics which tend to have shorter service life on mechanical parts. The electric switch may e.g. be built into the guard itself or be integrated in the mechanical means for disposing the guard in open position and closed position, respectively.

[0016] By making the guard with sufficient carrying ability it is achieved that the operator has great freedom of movement in his moving across bowling machines in operation, and he does not have to tread any specific places. At the same time it is avoided that the guard is deformed if the operator falls.

[0017] A further variant of the invention may be that the guard is a metal grate.

[0018] This design with a grate ensures that the guard is a lightweight construction with great strength. Furthermore, a design in metal may provide further options for special adaptation of the guard, as various metal fittings, flat irons, plates or adjacent metal gratings may be welded on for providing additional shielding.

[0019] In a special embodiment, the mechanical means for placing the guard of the bowling machine in open position may be at least one actuator, e.g. a number of gas springs.

[0020] With the aid of mechanical means in the shape of one or more actuator, such a pneumatic springs, for opening the guard, it is achieved that the operator does not have to lift a guard when he is to get access to a bowling machine to be serviced. The design options for the guard are thereby increased, as the guard does not have to comply with a maximum weight corresponding to what one operator is allowed to lift according to the existing rules for the work environment. Instead, by designing heavy guards the number of actuators required for lifting the guard concerned may be added. Moreover, an operation-friendly opening of the guard is achieved.

[0021] Applicable to a particularly preferred embodiment and method, in the closed position the guard is retained by a holding mechanism adapted for single-handed operation of the holding mechanism, where an operator inspecting a bowling machine opens the guard by a single-handedly switching off the holding mechanism, whereby an opening switch stops operation of the bowling machine, and where the guard is brought to open position by at least one actuator.

[0022] If using this embodiment and method, there may be achieved a very operation-friendly handling of the guard, as the operator can open the guard with one hand. The retaining mechanism with single-handed operation can be designed according to various known principles, particularly by methods known from door handles, door locks, window handles and furniture, such as kitchen drawers. Examples of these may be turn-handles with pawl, cremone handle, fixed handle with magnetic retention, sliding bolt.

[0023] The guard may furthermore be provided with a lock preventing unauthorised persons from accessing the guarded bowling machine. Hereby is achieved great certainty that only staff instructed in the handling of bowling machines will have access to the latter.

Description of the Drawing

[0024] In the following, the invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 shown a plan view of a bowling hall with bowling machines; and

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through three bowling machines.

Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention

[0025] On Fig. 1 is shown part of a bowling hall 1 with three bowling alleys 2. Each bowling alley 2 has a first end 3 and a second end 4, where a bowling machine 5 is provided at each bowling alley 2 for collecting a bowling ball 6 and a number of bowling pins 7 at the second end 4 of the bowling alley 2. The bowling machine 5 is equipped with mechanical means 8 and a control unit 9 for arranging bowling ball 6 and a number of bowling pins 4 at predetermined positions 10, 11 close to the first end 3 and second end 4 of the bowling alley. The mechanical means 8 may thus be with a number of gripping arms that may grip about the upper end of the pins 7 and lift them, such that a bar can be moved under the elevated pins 7 for removing possible overturned pins. The same mechanical means may supply new bowling pins 7 for array before a new round of the play. Moreover, the mechanical means 8 of the bowling machines 5 may include a collecting unit and a conveyor that may bring the bowling ball 6 back from the second end 4 of the bowling alley to the first end 3 of the bowling alley.

[0026] The bowling machines 5 are shown with a play guard 12 on the part of the bowling machine 5 facing the bowling alley.

[0027] The bowling machine 5 and its mechanical means 8 are entirely or partly enclosed by a guard 13 arranged over the bowling machine 5 and along the entire horizontal length of the bowling machine 5.

[0028] As a further safeguard, the bowling machine 5 can be equipped with a safety system 25 at the part of the play guard 12 facing the bowling alley 2. The safety system has the purpose of safeguarding that the bowling machine 5 stops if persons or objects larger than a bowling ball 6 come close to the play guard 12. The safety system 25 may of any kind of sensors for identifying objects or persons in the vicinity of the sensor. The safety system 25 may thus consist of one or more photo cells 26 with associated components 27.

[0029] If something is detected by the sensors during operation, the safety system 25 may be adapted such that the main power supply to the machine 5 concerned is interrupted. Alternatively, a bowling machine 5 of one or more of the closest-lying bowling alleys 2 may also have their main power supply interrupted, possibly in that a photo cell 26 with associated components 27 covers the area in front of two or more play guards 12.

[0030] Fig. 2 shows a cross-section of three bowling machines 5 provided with a guard 13 partly enclosing the upper part 14 of the bowling machines and shown in closed position. The right bowling machine 5' is shown with bowling ball 6 and three bowling pins 7, and furthermore with a gas spring 15 for disposing the guard 13 in open position (not shown). The gas spring is mounted on the guard 13 and a fixed frame 16, which may be part of the bowling machine 5 or an unmovable part of the guard 13.
The guard is held in closed position by a sliding bolt with a spring lock 17 and it is also provided with an opening switch 18 coupled to the control unit 9 of the bowling machine 5.

[0031] The guard 13 on the bowling machine 5' is provided with a movable side guard 19 connected with the guard 13 by a hinge 20. By moving the guard 13 from open to closed position, the movable side guard 19 will pivot as a consequence of the closing movement, why there is shown a V-shaped closing device 21 which can receive movable side guard 19 during the closing movement, and with a slit at the bottom 22 of the V-shaped closing device 21 it may function as retainer in the closed position of the guard 13.

[0032] Between the bowling machines 5 is shown a staircase 23 by which an operator, after easy passage across the guard 13 over the bowling machines 5, has easy access to the lower parts 24 of the bowling machines 5 and may thus collect possible foreign objects which accidentally may have been thrown into the bowling machine 5.

Claims

1. A guard (13) for a bowling machine (5), where the bowling machine is provided at a second end (4) of a bowling alley (2) and intended for collecting a number of play objects, and wherein the bowling machine (5) is provided with one or more mechanical means and at least one control unit (9) for arranging the play objects at predetermined positions close to the first and second ends of the bowling alley (2), where the bowling machine is provided with a play guard (12) at the part of the bowling machine facing the bowling alley, where the play guard (12) is provided with a play opening for passage of a bowling ball, wherein the guard (13), which partly or entirely encloses the mechanical means of the bowling machine, is provided with at least one hinged mechanical means for disposing the guard (13) in an open position and in a closed position, respectively, and that in the closed position, the guard (13) is arranged above the bowling machine and along its extension, and that in the open position, the guard (13) provides access to the one or more mechanical means (8) of the bowling machine, characterised in that the guard (13) is a grate and capable of carrying a point load corresponding to the weight of at least one person in order for the person to be able to move across the bowling machine in operation.

2. Guard for a bowling machine according to claim 1, characterised in that in the closed position, the guard (13) is furthermore provided with a complete shielding of the sides of the bowling machine, the sides facing away from the play guard.

3. Guard for a bowling machine according to any of claims 1 - 2, characterised in that the guard (13) is provided with an opening switch (18) for stopping the operation of the bowling machine by changing the position of the guard from the closed position to an open position.

4. Guard for a bowling machine according to claim 3, characterised in that the opening switch (18) is an electric switch, e.g. of the magnetic switch type, which by pulling out a magnet from the switch causes interruption of electric current through the switch.

5. Guard for a bowling machine according to any of claims 1-4, characterised in that the guard (13) is a metal grate.

6. Guard for a bowling machine according to any of claims 1-5, characterised in that the mechanical means for disposing the guard of the bowling machine in the open position is at least one actuator (15), e.g. a number of pneumatic springs.

7. Guard for a bowling machine according to any of claims 1-6, characterised in that in the closed position, the guard is retained by a holding mechanism (17) adapted for single-handed operation of the holding mechanism.

8. A method of opening a guard of a bowling machine according to claim 7, characterised in that an operator inspecting a bowling machine opens the guard (13) by a single-handedly switching off the holding mechanism (17), whereby an opening switch (18) stops operation of the bowling machine, and that the guard (13) is brought to open position by at least one actuator (15).

Ansprüche

1. Schutz (13) für eine Bowling-Maschine (5), wobei die Bowling-Maschine an einem zweiten Ende (4) einer Bowling-Bahn (2) bereitgestellt ist und dazu vorgesehen ist, eine Anzahl von Spielobjekten zu sammeln, und wobei die Bowling-Maschine (5) mit einem oder mehreren mechanischen Mitteln und wenigstens einer Steuereinheit (9) versehen ist, um die Spielobjekte in vorgegebenen Positionen nah am ersten und zweiten Ende der Bowling-Bahn (2) anzuordnen, wobei die Bowling-Maschine mit einem Spielschutz (12) an dem Teil der Bowling-Maschine versehen ist, der der Bowling-Bahn zugewandt ist, wobei der Spielschutz (12) mit einer Spielöffnung zum Durchlassen einer Bowling-Kugel versehen ist, wobei der Schutz (13), der das mechanische Mittel der Bowling-Maschine teilweise oder ganz schließt, mit wenigstens einem gelenkigen mechanischen Mittel zum Anordnen des Schutzes (13) jeweils in einer offenen Position und in einer geschlossenen Position anzuordnen, und dass der Schutz (13) in der geschlossenen Position über der Bowling-Maschine und entlang ihrer Erstreckung angeordnet ist und dass der Schutz (13) in der offenen Position Zugang zu dem einen oder den mehreren mechanischen Mitteln (8) der Bowling-Maschine bietet, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schutz (13) ein Gitter ist und eine Punktlast tragen kann, die dem Gewicht von wenigstens einer Person entspricht, damit die Person sich im Betrieb über der Bowling-Maschine bewegen kann.

2. Schutz für eine Bowling-Maschine nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schutz (13) in der geschlossenen Position ferner mit einer vollständigen Abschirmung der Seiten der Bowling-Maschine versehen ist, wobei die Seiten von dem Spielschutz abgewandt sind.

3. Schutz für eine Bowling-Maschine nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schutz (13) mit einem öffnenden Schalter (18) zum Anhalten des Betriebs der Bowling-Maschine versehen ist, indem die Position des Schutzes aus der geschlossenen Position in eine offene Position geändert wird.

4. Schutz für eine Bowling-Maschine nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der öffnende Schalter (18) ein elektrischer Schalter z. B. des Magnetschaltertyps ist, der durch Herausziehen eines Magnets aus dem Schalter eine Unterbrechung des elektrischen Stroms durch den Schalter bewirkt.

5. Schutz für eine Bowling-Maschine nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schutz (13) ein Metalltor ist.

6. Schutz für eine Bowling-Maschine nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das mechanische Mittel zum Anordnen des Schutzes der Bowling-Maschine in der offenen Position wenigstens ein Stellglied (15), z. B. eine Anzahl pneumatischer Federn, ist.

7. Schutz für eine Bowling-Maschine nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schutz in der geschlossenen Position durch einen Haltemechanismus (17) gehalten wird, der für eine einhändigen Bedienung des Haltemechanismus angepasst ist.

8. Verfahren zum Öffnen eines Schutzes einer Bowling-Maschine nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein Bediener, der eine Bowling-Maschine untersucht, den Schutz (13) durch einhändiges Ausschalten des Haltemechanismus (17) öffnet, wodurch ein öffnender Schalter (18) den Betrieb der Bowling-Maschine anhält, und dass der Schutz (13) durch wenigstens ein Stellglied (15) in die offene Position gebracht wird.

Revendications

1. Dispositif de protection (13) pour machine de bowling (5), la machine de bowling est réalisée à une deuxième extrémité (4) d'une piste de bowling (2) et destinée à ramasser un nombre d'objets ludiques, et la machine de bowling (5) est munie d'un ou plusieurs moyens mécaniques et au moins une unité de contrôle (9) pour ranger les objets ludiques à des positions prédéterminées près de la première et la deuxième extrémités de la piste de bowling (2), la machine est dotée d'un dispositif de protection de jeux (12) à la partie de la machine de bowling faisant face à la piste de bowling, le dispositif de protection de jeux (12) est pourvu d'une ouverture de jeux pour le passage d'une boule de bowling, le dispositif de protection (13), qui enferme partiellement ou entièrement les moyens mécaniques de la machine de bowling, est pourvu d'au moins un moyen mécanique articulé pour la disposition du dispositif de protection (13) dans une position ouverte et une position fermée respectivement, et que, dans la position fermée, le dispositif de protection (13) est aménagé audessus de la machine de bowling et sur sa longueur, et que, dans la position ouverte, le dispositif de protection (13) donne accès à un ou plusieurs des moyens mécaniques (8) de la machine de bowling, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif de protection (13) est une grille capable de porter une charge ponctuelle correspondant au poids d'au moins une personne pour que la personne soit capable de se bouger à travers la machine de bowling en marche.

2. Dispositif de protection pour machine de bowling selon la revendication 1, caracterisé en ce que, dans la position fermée, le dispositif de protection (13) est encore pourvu d'un blindage complet des côtés de la machine de bowling, les côtés sont orientés à l'opposé du dispositif de protection de jeux.

3. Dispositif de protection pour machine de bowling selon les revendications 1 à 2, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif de protection (13) est pourvu d'un commutateur d'ouverture (18) pour arrêter l'opération de la machine de bowling en changeant la position du dispositif de protection de la position fermée à une position ouverte.

4. Dispositif de protection pour machine de bowling selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que le commutateur d'ouverture (18) constitue un commutateur électrique, par exemple de type commutateur magnétique, qui, en enlevant un aimant du commutateur, provoque une interruption du courant électrique traversant le commutateur.

5. Dispositif de protection pour machine de bowling selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caratérisée en ce que le dispositif de protection (13) constitue une grille en métal.

6. Dispositif de protection pour machine de bowling selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que les moyens mécaniques constituent au moins un actionneur (15), par exemple un nombre de ressorts pneumatiques, pour disposer le dispositif de protection de la machine de bowling dans la position ouverte.

7. Dispositif de protection pour machine de bowling selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, caractérisé en ce que, dans la position fermée, le dispositif de protection est maintenu par un mécanisme de maintien (17) à commande d'une seule main.

8. Procédé d'ouverture d'un dispositif de protection d'une machine de bowling selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce qu'un opérateur inspectant une machine de bowling ouvre le dispositif de protection (13) en éteignant le mécanisme de maintien (17) avec une seule main, un commutateur d'ouverture (18) arrête ainsi l'opération de la machine de bowling, et que le dispositif de protection (13) est amené dans une position ouverte par au moins un actionneur (15).

Drawing