SINGLE CYCLE PIN SETTING APPARATUS AND METHOD

摘要

An automatic bowling pin setting apparatus and method for setting pins in a given pattern on a pin deck comprises detecting standing pins after a first ball has been rolled, clearing the pin deck of all pins, both standing and deadwood, and replacing the standing pins with replacement pins which have been stored in spotting cups above each of the pin setting locations of the pattern. The standing pin detection, pin deck clearing, and replacement of standing pins is made in a single cycle, thus eliminating the traditional standing pin lifting cycle. Spotting deck and rake movement are coordinated using shafts having continuous grooves of varying pitch with sliding members attached to the spotting deck and rake for controlling their coordinated movement with variable speed in a synchronized manner, thus permitting the single cycle for detecting standing pins, clearing the pin deck of all pins, and replacing those pins which were standing. A pin distributor delivers pins to a storage cradle above each spotting cup for storing in the vacant spotting cups. Typically thirty pins are used such that ten are on the pin deck, then are stored in the spotting cups ready to replace detected standing pins, and ten are waiting in the cradles ready to be stored in the spotting cups. Such an arrangement reduces wear on the pins with the further efficiency of the pin setting equipment because of the single cycle pin setting process.