US3649014A - Split detecting and scoring system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to apparatus useful in the scoring of bowling games. Further, the invention relates to scoring systems including a device for providing a pin count from pinfall information and also relates to scoring systems capable of providing a determination of pin-standing combinations normally classified as ''''splits.

Description

finite Sites aten Hofiman 1 Mar. 14, 1972 [54] SPLIT DETECTING AND SCORING 3,212,779 10/1965 Grues et a1 ..273/54 D SYSTEM 3,223,416 12/1965 Blewitt ..273/54 D [72] Inventor: Paul R. Hoffman, Grand Haven, Mich. FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 17 1 Assignw Bmmwick m 698,259 1 1/1964 Canada ..273/54 0 [22] Filed: Oct. 14, 1965 Primary ExammerAnton O. Oechsle [21] Appl. No: 495,730 Attorney-Hofgren, Wegner, Allen, Stellman & McCord 521 115.01 273/54, 235/92 1 ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl. ..A63d 5/04 The present 1nvent1on relates to apparatus useful in the scor- [58] held 0f Search C, of bowling garnes- Further the invention relates to systems including a device for providing a pin count from pinfall information and also relates to scoring systems capable of [56] References cued providing a determination of pin-standing combinations nor- UNITED STATES PATENTS mally classified as Splits? 3,124,355 3/1964 Mentzer et a1. ..273/54 C 12 Claims, 20 Drawing Figures Patented March 14, 1972 1 I Sheets-Sheet 1 10. E 4 W l c LPE/NIEI? IQPL NAME I Patented March 14, 1972 11 Sheets-Sheet 2 +3 2 P 5 F 4 P 3 w P 7 6 w v P F Patented March '14, 1972 11. Sheets-Sheet Patented March 14, 1972 3,649,014

11 Sheets-Sheet 5 2 5 OOOO OOOO OOOO OO OO OO O O O 4 5 OOOO OOOO OO O O O 6 7 8 OOOO OOOO OOOO O OO OO O OO OO OOOO OOO OO OOO OO O OOO OOO Patented March 14, 1972 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 $6 QWm 1 1 W I mg mvm 3m o 33 Q H WV mam flw 23 mg EL 4w m Em emu l Patented March 14, 1972 11 Sheets-Sheet '7 vmm Patented March 14, 1972 3,649,014

11 Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented March 14, 1972 3,649,014

11 Sheets-Sheet 9 I l l\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\L\\\\\\ \\l Patented March 14, 1972 3,649,014

11 Sheets-Sheet 10 YOK 02 1| J RNNQEQ :H .MQW Q Patented March 14, 1972 11 Sheets-Sheet l 1 SPLIT DETECTING AND SCORING SYSTEM DISCLOSURE It has been proposed to provide a scoring system which is capable of scoring bowling games for bowlers by receiving pinfall information, totalizing the information and converting it to score values, and even storing score values, and printing first and second ball box scores, frame scores, marks, mark totals, team totals, etc. Such a system is disclosed by Cornell et al., application Ser. No. 366,297, entitled Automatic Bowling Scorer, filed May 11, 1964, now US Pat. No. 3,435,120 granted Mar. 25, 1969, and assigned to the common assignee of this application. The Cornell et al. scoring system is capable of serving a multiplicity of players bowling on a plurality of lanes. In that system, pinfall information is received in terms of individual signals from pin detection means and is totalized to provide a total pin count which can be translated by a computation and control system into score values which are awarded to the proper bowler. In the Cornell et al. system, the computation unit is basically a mechanical computer, and the pin count input is also mechanical. Such a system utilizes a pinfall totalizer which has a mechanical output use as the input to the computer.

It is normal, in bowling score keeping, to record splits upon their occurrence. For example, in the game of tenpins, one split is a pin condition left standing for the second ball in a two-ball frame and which includes two pins with enough space therebetween for a ball to freely pass through. In a condition most commonly called a split and sometimes referred to as a true split no pins are standing in front of two laterally spaced nonadjacent pins in one transverse row. More specifically, the American Bowling Congress has defined a split in, for example, its Constitution, Specifications and Rules" for the 1962-63 season, copyright 1962, as follows:

A split shall be a setup of pins remaining standing after the first ball has been legally delivered provided the headpin is down, and

1. At least one pin is down between two or more pins which remain standing, as for example: 7-9, or 3-10.

2. At least one pin is down immediately ahead of two or more pins which remain standing, as for example: -6." Thus, in tenpins, the pin count on the first ball must be less than nine and the head pin must be down for the split to exist. The split presents an extremely difficult pin combination to the bowler for his second ball, and this is apparently the reason for the desirability of determining and recording splits. As far as is known, no scoring system has accurately detected and indicated the occurrence of a split condition.

It is a general object to provide a new and improved scoring system which is capable of determining a standing pin condition and especially a split condition.

Another object is to provide a new and useful split detector, totalizer, or combination thereof.

A further object is to provide a split detector capable of receiving first ball pinfall information and comparing it with known nonsplit standards to determine whether a split has occurred.

A still further object of this invention is to provide such a split detector in which pin condition indications are received from individual pin detection means at each pin position, all nonsplit standing pin combinations where the head pin is one of the down pins and where at least two pins are standing are eliminated, and all pin combinations where the head pin is among the standing pins and where less than two pins remain standing are eliminated, resulting in a determination of the existence ofa split condition.

Still another object is to provide a combination totalizer and split detector which includes a differential unit having a separate power input for each pin position, a common power output indicative of pinfall count and separate power outputs identifying each pin as standing or downed, and a comparator system for comparing identified conditions of each pin, i.e.,

standing or downed, against a standard for determining whether a split exists.

Other objects will be apparent from the following description and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan of a portion of a bowling establishment showing a scoring system of the present invention and its association with a plurality of bowling lanes;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the printing surface of a score sheet on which score indications can be recorded in accordance with one form of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a pinfall totalizing and split detecting device of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a section along line 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a view ofa portion of the right end of the device in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a view from the left end of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 illustrates the configuration of a portion of each of a plurality of slides which are included in the device of FIGS. 3-7;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of eleven basic nonsplit pin combinations;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a printing system for readout of computed scores from the scoring system;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged side view of a print head in the apparatus of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a section taken behind the front casing plate of the print head of FIG. 11, showing internal parts;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged portion of the plan view of FIG. 10 with parts in section;

FIG. 14 is a side view of a type setting and printing control mechanism in the apparatus of FIG. 10;

FIG. 15 is a section along line l515 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a section along line 16l6 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 17 is a section along line 17-17 ofFIG. 13; and

FIGS. 18-20 are wiring diagrams for the system illustrated in FIG. 1.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a specific embodiment of the invention, together with modifications thereof, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment and modifications illustrated.

Referring first to FIG. 1, the scoring system to be described as an embodiment of this invention is one which is useful for scoring on two adjacent lanes 210 and 211 separated by a suitable lane divider 212. Each of the lanes is equipped with an automatic pinsetter APL or APR for carrying out normal pinsetting operations at the pit end of the lane. The scoring system is generally the same as that described by Cornell et al. in his application, Ser. No. 366,297, entitled Automatic Bowling Scorer, filed May 1 l, 1964, and assigned to the assignee of this application, to which reference can be made for details of various portions of the scoring system. Where modifications have been made in the Cornell et al. scoring system, such modifications will be specifically described herein.

In this system and in the Cornell et al. system, a set of pin detection switches PDS is provided at each pinsetter. The switches PDS are brought into engagement with heads of pins left standing after each ball is bowled, to generate pinfall information. The PDS switches are normally closed and are opened by a contact with the head of a bowling pin as the pinsetter deck is lowered. The switches are locked open and thereby store the pinfall information until it is assimilated by a score computation system and the pinsetter is stopped to await assimilation of the information. After the information has been assimilated, the pinsetter is restarted by a signal from the computation and control system and the operation of the pinsetter effects reclosing of all PDS switches.

The score information is transmitted from the pinsetters APL or APR through a multi-wire cable, identified in FIG. 1 as cable PDSX. The pinfall information enters a summer SSD on a balI-by-ball basis as one or more electrical signals and summer SSD translates the signals into a single mechanical signal for each ball pincount. The mechanical signal is fed to a mechanical computation unit C where scores are computed. The cumputation unit includes memory units for each bowler and for each team. The scores are entered by the computation unit into the appropriate memories. The computation unit controls a printer P for printing computed box scores and frame scores on a ball-byball basis. The summer, computation unit and printer are mounted in a housing 218 at the bowlers end of the pair of lanes 210 and 211. Although the system illustrated herein is specifically disclosed as accommodating or servicing two adjacent lanes, i.e., one lane pair, the system may readily be expanded to accommodate more lanes or lane pairs as indicated in Cornell et al. Ser. No. 366,297, or as exemplified by the system disclosed in copending Ser. No. 498,456 in the name of Paul R. Hoffman et al. entitled, Lane Sequencing Device and Bowling Game Scoring System Including Same filed Oct. 20, I965, and assigned to the assignee of this application.

As one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a split detection system for detecting the occurrence of a split condition after the bowling of a bowling ball. In the scoring system shown, the split detector is commonly housed with the summer SSD and receives pinfall information from the summer. The specific form of split detector described herein is capable of providing a signal that a split has occurred, the signal being derived from an input of specifically identified pins-standing and pins-fallen, and directly prepares the printer for printing a split designation S when the printer is commanded to print box score by the computation unit.

The summer forms one portion of pinfall information receiver which also includes the commonly housed split detection system. The summer or totalizer, in general, operates by changing the length of a mechanical linkage with the computation unit having one device responsive to each PDS switch which remains closed after a pin detection cycle. The mechanical linkage functions as an input to the mechanical computer.

Individual signals identifying the pin position of each pin down are received by the summer portion of the pinfall information receiver. The signals are compared by the split detection portion of the pinfall information receiver against a preprogrammed set of known pinfall combinations in which a split cannot occur, and this may result in an indication ofno split." In the absence of the no split indication, a signal is provided indicating the possibility of a split. split occurs only when pinfall count is less than nine and only when the head pin is down so the possible split signal is then compared against these two conditions, and if both exist a split signal is generated by the split detector. The split signal is sent directly to the printer to cause alignment of type in the printer for printing the split designation S."

The printer used in the present system is capable of printing on a score sheet such as that illustrated in FIG. 2. The score sheet, identified by reference numeral 200, includes, as print ing areas, a first ball score box 201 in each frame, and second ball score box 202 in each frame, a tenth frame third ball score box 204, the frame score area 203, the individual player total score area 205a, the team total score area 205b, and the marks area 206. The scoring system is capable ofeffecting printing of score information in the various boxes and areas in accordance with normal scoring procedures, as is described in the above-mentioned application of Cornell et al. In the present modification of the system, printing of a split symbol is effected in a position on the score sheet immediately preceding the first ball box score of each frame, e.g., as illustrated at reference numeral 207.

PINFALL TOTALIZER OR SUMMER The summation unit or summer SSD (FIGS. 3 through 7) includes a frame 504 mounted by suitable brackets and including a plurality of crossframe or pin members 505 secured to opposite sides of the frame 504 at their ends. A plurality of slide bars 813-1 through 58-10 are mounted on pin members 505 extending through elongate slots 506 in the SB slide bars. Slots 506 permit longitudinal sliding of the SB slide bars to the left and right while retaining the slide bars against vertical movement as viewed in FIG. 3.

A plurality of 10 pin-count magnets M-I through M-10 are mounted by brackets 507 to frame 504 disposed above slide bars SB-l through SB-IO as viewed in FIG. 3. A plate 508 is pivotally mounted on a pin 511 for association with the core of each of magnets M-l through M-10. Pin 51! is secured between opposing walls of frame 504. Each of plates 508 is positioned to be attracted upward by the core of the pinfall magnet beneath which it is pivotally mounted and carries a latch portion 512. Thus, as each of magnets M-I through M- 10 is energized, the plate 508 therebeneath is moved to an attracted position as shown for the magnets in FIG. 3. Upon deenergization of each magnet M-l through M-10, the plate 508 is released and is moved by the urging of spring 514 to the position shown in dotted lines for the plate 508 beneath magnet M-S in FIG. 3.

Each of plates 508, when attracted, raises its latch end 512. When in lowered or unattracted position, plate 508 carries latch end 512 into lockable engagement with a receiver or notch 515 in one of the SB slide bars as seen in dotted lines by magnet M-5, FIG. 3. The latch 512 of each plate 508 is disposed laterally as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 for lockable engagement with the SB slide bar bearing the same numerical designation as the M magnet operating the given plate 508; thus, for example, upon release of plate 508 by magnet M-7, the latching end 512 of the plate is free to latch in notch 515 of slide bar SB-7. Each of the other magnets and slide bars of identical numeral suffix are in the same manner associated through a plate 508 and latch 512, so that when the magnet is deenergized the latch 512 is free to be urged by spring 514 into the notch 515 of the slide bar to latch the slide bar against longitudinal sliding. Upon energization of any one or more of the magnets, the corresponding slide bar is unlatched and free for longitudinal sliding movement.

A plurality of pulleys P-l through P-10 are also provided in the summer mechanism, each pulley being mounted between guide channels 516 and 517 by a bearing 518 on a pin 520; the pins 520 are each in turn supported by a bracket 521 secured to a sleeve 522 disposed for pivotal movement on a shaft 524 which is in turn secured to frame 504. Thus, each of pulleys P- 1 through P-l0 is free to rotate on hearing 518 and is adapted for pivotal movement through link 521 with the pulley center traveling through an arc.

Each of slide bars SB-l through SB-10 includes a lower projection 525 disposed to engage the pin 520 supporting the pulley having the same numerical suffix as the slide bar. The pulleys P-l through P-IO vary slightly in diameter. The pulleys are of increasing size and diameter in the following order: P-7, P-3, P-6, P-4, P-8, P-5, P-9, P-2, P-10 and P-I. Disposed around the assembly of pulleys in inverse block and tackle fashion is a flexible nonstretching tape 526. One end of tape 526 is secured to the smallest pulley P-7 and thence the tape is threaded in counterclockwise direction around each pulley in order ofincreasing diameter to engage the pulley for approximately Thus, the first complete loop of tape 526 closes both of pulleys P-7 and P-3 and thence the loop enlarges to include pulleys P-6 and P-4 and further enlargement of the loop of tape 526 includes pairs of pulleys in order P-8 and P-5, P-9 and P-2, and P-10 and P-l with the tape thereafter being disposed along the tops of the array of pulleys within channel guide 516 to pulley 527 which is provided to permit a change in direction of tape 526 as it exits from summer SSD. Tension force is maintained by the computation unit on the end of tape 526 extending from the summer.

The signals from the PDS pin detection switches in pinsetter AP are fed through blocking diodes to the magnets M-l through M- respectively in summer SSD so that closure of a PDS switch will cause actuation of the M magnet having the same numerical SUfflX when switch CPS in the common of all M magnets is closed. Thus, energization of each magnet represents a pinfall count of one. For each magnet energized, a latch 512 is withdrawn from the slide bar SE. The tension on tape 526 pulling through the inverse block and tackle arrangement will thereupon cause pivoting of the corresponding pulley about shaft 524 toward the center of the block and tackle arrangement carrying the projection 525 on the corresponding SB slide bar therewith. Any unlatched slide bar will permit sliding motion and consequent pivoting of the corresponding pulley while any latched slide bar, i.e., where the M magnet is deenergized, will stop such pivotal movement of the corresponding pulley. Slide bars SB-l through SB-5 slide to the left under urging of the pulleys, and slide bars SB-6 through SB-10 slide to the right when the corresponding magnet is energized, tension being constantly maintained on tape 526. The SB slide bars are adjusted, as will be seen, so that each slide bar permits almost the same exact length of tape to be pulled for each magnet energized. Thus, the amount of movement of tape 526 from the device can be taken as a mechanical measure of pinfall count, the tape moving one unit for each pin downed.

The longitudinal sliding of each SB slide bar is limitedby means of adjusting bolts 528 at the end of the slide bar toward which the slide bar moves. Thus, the adjustments 528 for slide bars 58-] through SB-5 are on the left and the adjustments for slide bars SB-6 through 88-10 are on the right as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 4. The adjustments are conventional, constituting a threaded shaft threaded through a nut secured to frame 504 with the shaft aligned at the end of the respective slide bar as seen more clearly in FIG. 6. The bolt portion of adjustment 528 acts as a stop in the usual manner to limit the travel of the corresponding SB slide bar by abutment of the end of slide bar against the bolt portion. The threads of the adjustments 528 are sufficiently fine to permit adjustment of the amount of travel of each slide bar within 1/1000 inch of each other. Thus, essentially the same distance is traveled by the center of rotation of each pulley when released and moved by tape 526, the limit permitted by the corresponding slide bar. Each unit of measure added to tape 526 will, for practical purposes, be the same and will be equal approximately to twice the distance of travel of the center of rotation of each pulley.

After the summer has converted the electrical impulses from the pinfall switches into the mechanical units of measure in tape 526 and after the information represented by elongation oftape 526 has been utilized or accepted for computation of bowling scores, the pinfall information and count must be erased from the summing device before new data can be accepted.

In the illustrated embodiment, the summing device is triggered by a momentary signal from the computation and control system at the beginning of each computation cycle to clear the M magnets prior to introduction of new pinfall information from the PDS switches, as fully illustrated by Cornell et al. in application Ser. No. 366,297. This signal actuates the control magnet of a magnet actuated one-revolution clutch 530. Thereupon, a motor 531, which may be a constantly driven motor, driving shaft 532, engages shaft 534 through clutch 530 for one revolution to rotate shaft 534 one revolution.

Shaft 534 carries a cam 537 which protrudes through apertures 538 in each of the slides SB. During rest of shaft 534 and at the initiation of rotation, movement of slide bars SB-l through 53-10 is uninhibited by the cam 537 in that apertures 538 are of sufficient size and configuration to permit the required sliding of the slide bars during the pin counting operation. The reset position of cam 537 is as shown in FIG. 3

and the rest position is counterclockwise from the reset position. As cam 537 rotates clockwise, the first of cam 537 rotation resets the summer by erasing previous data as viewed in FIG. 3. At this time, the M magnets are in the normally deenergized state and latches 512 of each deenergized magnet have fallen to the top edge of the respective slide bar and rest thereon. After cam 537 passes 45 of rotation, it begins to pick up any slide bars which were unlatched in the previous cycle, by engagement within aperture 538, and as cam 537 reaches 135 of rotation, the slide bars have been carried back to their reset positions. Latches 512 ride on the top edges of the slide bars during their reset motion, and, upon alignment with the notch 515, each latch 512 drops into the notch, and at 135 of rotation of cam 537, all slide bars are reset. Cam 537 continues to rotate for the complete revolution and comes to rest in the position 90 counterclockwise from the reset position shown in in full lines in FIG. 3. F01- lower 536, a spring leaf cam follower normally urged toward cam 535, is actuated by cam 535 at 135 to close switch CPS (FIGS. 3 and 18) which is in the common ground of all magnets M, so that pinfall magnets M-l through M-10 can be energized by the respective pinfall switches PDS in the pinsetter which are closed because of pins down. Switch CPS is held closed by cam 535 until latches 512 have disengaged notches 515 in slide bars to permit them to follow cam 537. Switch CPS then opens and remains open until 135 of the next pin summing cycle.

On completion of the cycle described above, the pinfall switches in the pinsetter are reset by cycling of pinsetter as described by Cornell et al.; a subsequent energization of the magnets by the pinfall switches will be attributed to a subsequent ball. If the pinfall switches in another pinsetter serviced by the summer are ready to give information to the summer, this information will at this time be picked up with the summer again acting in the manner described above.

The readout from the summer device is carried by tape 526 in the form of tape feedout from the summer device. The other end of tape 526 is linked to and under tension from the mechanical computer for transmission of pin count information as a mechanical signal from the summer to the computer. As seen in FIG. 1, tape 526 from summer SSD is directed by pulleys 554a, 554b, 5540 and 554d along slot 555 and is secured to pin 557 thence around another pulley 554e to a clockwise urged, spring-loaded, windup pulley 558 mounted pivotally on a shaft 690, having a stepped cam 561 secured thereto for movement with pulley 558. The pulley 558 and cam 561 are loaded with a torsion spring sufficient to wind tape 526 on pulley 558 and keep tape 526 taut. The feedout of tape 526 from the summer is taken up on pulley 558, and stepped cam 561 pivots clockwise as viewed in FIG. 1, an amount commensurate with the number of pins knocked down and counted by summer SSD.

For direct readout to the printer of box score pinfall counts of 0 through 10, pin 557 is secured to an electrical readout system which is regulated as to readout count by the number of units by whichpin 557 is moved to the left as viewed in FIG. 1. In order to enter less than 10 pins into the computer for calculation of score, stepped cam 561 is provided. Each of steps 1-9 inclusive of the stepped cam has the same approximate angular length. As tape 526 is released by the summer, stepped cam is rotated clockwise by its torsion spring one step for each unit of measure representing a pin down in tape 526. As cam 561 is rotated clockwise by releasing of the tape, for each unit the tape is released, the cam rotates an additional step relative to a pin 567 which protrudes outward through a slot. Pin 567 is secured to elements in the computer for entering the pinfall count into the computer to be used in calculating a score value which is awarded to the proper bowler as more fully described by Cornell et al. in application Ser. No. 366,297.

spur DETECTOR The split detection system is identified generally by reference number 601 (FIG. 3). It will be noted that slide bars SB-l through extend from the summer into split detector 601. In their extending portions, the slide bars have a series of highs 602 and lows 603 (FIG. 8) which may move into or out of alignment with each other, depending on the various combinations of movement of the slide bars with and/or relative to each other during the totalizing procedure described above. The movement of the slide bars is a mechanical input to the split detector 601 and the split detector examines such input for existence of nonsplit conditions, converts the absence of nonsplit conditions into an indication of a possible split condition and further examines the input and such possible split indication to determine whether a split has actually occurred. If a split has occurred, the printer is directed to print a split symbo1S."

When the appropriate magnet M is energized, the corresponding slide SB is moved approximately one-tenth of an inch to the right or left during the pin summing procedure a precise unit, e.g., one-tenth inch as represented by the length of the double arrowed line above SB-2 in FIG. 8. The slides SB are configurated with the lows 602 and highs 603 to present alignment of a set of lows 602 across the entire plurality of the slide bars and in alignment with a feeler system, as will be described, for the majority of occasions where a pinfall condition exists which cannot possibly be a split.

A bracket 604 is secured to frame 504 and supports a shaft 605. The feeler system includes a bail 606 and eleven feeler members 607 mounted on shaft 605 for rotation. Each feeler member 607 includes a cam follower arm 607a, a feeler arm 607b and a bail engaging arm 6070. Suitable spacers are provided between feeler members 607 and bail 606 to permit free individual pivoting of the feelers and bail on the shaft 605. A tension spring 608 is secured to the end of each cam follower arm 607a and anchored to bracket 604 for urging each feeler member 607 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 7. Bail 606 is between feeler arm 607 and a spring returned actuator arm ofa switch NS (FIGS. 3 and mounted on bracket 607 so that the actuator arm of switch NS urges bail 606 against the row ofbail engaging arms 6070.

A generally cylindrical cam member 611 having a flat side 611a defining a cam low is mounted by bracket 604 for rotation and extends from the right end of bracket 604, as viewed in FIG. 4, as a shaft having a beveled gear 612 secured thereto. Gear 612 is in mesh with beveled gear 613 which is secured to shaft 534 so that rotation of shaft 534 drives cam 611. It will be seen that during each pin totalizing cycle as the magnets M are actuated and slides SB are urged to the right and left as described above, the slides SB will present lows 602 or highs 604 beneath the array of feeler arms 607b; and as cam 611 is rotated by the one-revolution clutch 530 to present the low 611a toward cam follower arms 607a, springs 608 will urge feeler members 607 in a clockwise direction the extent permitted by cam low 611. In the event nothing but lows 602 are presented to any one of the feeler members 607, spring 608 will urge the feeler member 607 clockwise a sufficient distance to carry bail 606 against the urging of the NS switch arm to actuate switch NS. Switch NS is a normally closed switch and is opened when actuated. The lows 602 and highs 604 are provided as a standard of possible nonsplit standing pin combinations which are detected by feeler members 607.

Detection of nonsplit combinations and the basis for such detection by the present system can be understood with reference to FIG. 9. Assuming elimination of all pinfall conditions in which the head pin is left standing and more than eight pins have been knocked down, the remaining fundamental nonsplit combinations can be grouped in 11 groups as illustrated in FIG. 9. By way of explanation, there are 1,024 possible pin combinations following first ball, including a situation where there are no pins standing, and the assumption that the head pin has been knocked down eliminates the one-half of these where the head pin is still standing. Of the remaining 512 combinations, 459 combinations are herein recognized as splits, 52 are nonsplits, and the remaining I is the strike combination where all pins are knocked down. Of the 52 nonsplits, 9 of the combinations have only one pin standing, and the other 43 have two or more pins standing. The strike combination and the 9 one-pin standing combinations are eliminated by the present system by means to be described hereinbelow along with the 512 combinations in which the head pin is standing.

If the above referred American Bowling Congress split identifying conditions (1) and (2) are interpreted in the disjunctive, a total of 461 pin standing arrays apparently will be designated as splits. However, as noted above, only 459 standing arrays are so identified in this disclosure. Although the standing array of the 2,4,5,7 and 9 pins and the array consisting of the 3,5,6,8 and 10 pins might be regarded as splits under the disjunctive interpretation noted above, they are herein regarded as nonsplits (FIG. 9-5, 9-6).

Each of the 43 nonsplit combinations in which two or more pins are standing (without the No. 1 pin) is included within the diagrammatic representations in FIG. 9. In FIG. 9, each blacked pin spot indicates a pin which has been left standing, and each pin spot with a slash through it indicates a pin which may be either up or down while still retaining a nonsplit condition. Each empty circle represents a pin down. It will be seen, considering the eleven fundamental nonsplit combinations seriatim from FIG. 9, that the possible combinations where at least two pins are standing, in fact, total 43. Each of the eleven fundamental nonsplit combinations is detected by a separate one offeeler arms 607b as the slides SB are aligned to the right or left. Where one of the combinations is detected, switch NS is opened. Therefore, so long as switch NS remains closed, there is a possibility of a split existing, and the closed condition of switch NS functions to eliminate the eleven basic nonsplit combinations.

Returning to the basic assumptions in the discussion of the nonsplit combinations, a split condition will exist each time a basic nonsplit condition does not exist except where the head pin is still standing or the total pinfall count is 9 or 10.

Means are provided for eliminating the nonsplit conditions in which the head pin remains standing. Accordingly, a lug 615 is provided on the lower edge of the head pin slide SB-l projecting below the array of slides. Cam follower 616 is mounted on a pivot pin 617 from frame 504 and has a roller 618 on one arm. A tension spring 619 extends between another arm of cam follower 616 and the frame 504 to urge cam follower 616 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3. A pin 621 extends outwardly from the lower arm of cam follower 616 and engages the actuating arm ofa normally open switch HIP (FIGS. 3 and 20) to close switch HP each time spring 619 is permitted to pivot cam follower 616 on pin 617, i.e., each time head pin slide SB-l is moved to the left as viewed in FIG. 3 by a head pin down condition. This eliminates the 512 nonsplit conditions in which the head pin is standing and where slide SB-l would remain to the right. Switch HP is in series with switch NS and is closed only when the head pin is knocked down.

Provision is also made for eliminating the nonsplit conditions where less than two pins are left standing. Accordingly, pulley 527 is secured to a shaft 625 which is mounted through frame 504 for rotation. A leaf spring 626 is suitably secured to frame 504 and bears against the upper surface of pulley 527 to tightly urge tape 526 into engagement with the pulley surface so that, each time tape 526 is moved a unit of measurement by the tension on tape 526 and release of magnets M, pulley 527 and shaft 625 are rotated by friction with the tape 526 an angular unit of measurement. A cam 627 is pinned to shaft 625 for rotation therewith and is therefore rotated counterclockwise one unit for each unit of tape playout. A cam follower roller 628 is mounted on another arm of cam follower 616 in association with cam 627. Carn 627 includes a low over the majority of its cam surface; and, as cam 627 is rotated counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 3 by pulling of tape 626 eight units, the position shown at 627a, still a low, is presented beneath cam follower 628. Thus, for the first eight pins knocked down, if the head pin is knocked down and lug 615 is moved to the left as viewed in FIG. 3, switch HP will be closed by cam follower 616 with roller 628 pivoting against the low of cam 627. However, where nine or ten pins are knocked down, the tape will pull the cam high positions 627b and 627a beneath roller 628 so that, should slide SB-l and lug 615 move to the left as viewed in FIG. 3, surface 627b or 627C will block roller 628 and prevent pivoting of cam follower 616 to actuate switch HP, thereby detecting and eliminating the nonsplit combinations ofless than two pins.

Since the nonsplits have been detected and eliminated by opening nonsplit switches NS and HP each time a nonsplit condition exists, a split signal can be generated by switches NS and HP whenever both are in closed position. The resulting split signal can be used to control a printing operation for readout ofa split condition as will be described hereinbelow.

During the summer reset operation, it will be apparent that cam 611 will rotate to lift feeler arms 607b from slides SB, permitting the spring arm of switch NS to return bail 606 and close switch NS, assuming switch NS had been opened. Tape 526 will return pulley 527 and cam 627 to their original angular positions, and slides SB will be returned as described above.

PRINTING SYSTEM The printing mechanism (FIG. is mounted on a frame 830 in housing 218 and includes a carriage 831 movable in X and Y directions and carrying a print head 832, a driven differential gear mechanism 834 for removing the carriage a predetermined number of units in each direction and a printer head operating mechanism generally indicated at .835 for setting type in head 832 responsive to readout signals from the computation unit.

The carriage member 831 is mounted for sliding movement along both X and Y axes as viewed in FIG. 10 and as more fully described by Cornell et al. Briefly, a positioning tape T-X is used for moving carriage 831 to the left as viewed in FIG. 10 against the urging of a return spring rewind reel 848. Another positioning tape T-Y is used to pull the carriage or print head 832 along the Y axis against the urging of a return spring rewind reel 857.

The printer head 832 is shown in its normal home position and is moved from home position for positioning the head correctly for each desired printing operation via tapes T-X and T- Y. Upon release of tapes T-X and T-Y, the head again returns to home position, the distance permitted by playout of tapes T-X and T-Y.

Each of the tapes T-X and T-Y is wound at its other end on a spool 905 or 927 and is urged to playout from the spool 905 or 927 by spring means 857 or 848. The amount of winding of the tape on the spool determines the position of the printing head along the X and Y coordinates. The spools are each driven by a separate differential system, as a part of mechanism 834, each differential system including a plurality of differential gear sets 845 for driving one of the tape spools a predetermined amount from a home position, the home position corresponding to the position of the printer head with both tapes fully extended from the spools. The differential gear sets 845 are of differing output/input ratios for each direction of carriage movement and are individually engageable with a driven shaft to provide selected increments of movement of the carriage in X and Y directions. The selection of gear outputs is effected by selectively engaging one-half revolution clutches 864 through 872, each of which drives a separate set of the differential gears when selected. Details of the X and Y drive system are described by Cornell et al. in application Ser. No. 366,297.

The computer controls the positioning of print head 832 in both X and Y directions by selecting the differential gear sets to be driven, as described by Cornell et al., to position the print head for printing in the proper frame of the proper bowlers line on scoresheet 200, whenever it is desired to print score.

Print head 832, referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, includes a lower typesetting portion with the type disposed over a prism surface 928, an upper hammer actuating portion and an intermediate plurality of hammers 930 which are actuated by the hammer actuating portion to strike a row of type aligned by the typesetting portion to effect the printing upon a printable surface, such as scoresheet 200, backed by surface 928.

In the typesetting portion, there are provided four parallel slides 931, each mounted on a pair of pins 932 through slots 934 and 935, pins 932 being secured at the ends to frame 936. One hammer 930 is provided for each slide 931. The slides 931 are normally urged to the left as viewed in FIGS. 11 and 12 by tension springs 937 grounded to frame 936 by suitable bracket means shown at 938 and attached at their other ends to upstanding flange portions 940, of slides 931. Each slide 931 is retained against sliding to the left by a separate tape 94] secured to flange 940, which tape is under tension from a typesetting control system to be described hereinbelow. In general, the typesetting control system plays out the tapes 941 permitting each of slides 931 to slide to the left a given number of units up to a maximum number of units corresponding to the number of type slugs carried by each slide 931.

Two of the slides 931 are normally used for printing the units and tens digits and each carries a set of 13 type slugs 942 for printing 0 through 9, X, and F, as illustrated, each having on its bottom or printing surface 944 the indicia shown immediately above the type slug. A third slide 931 is used for printing the hundreds digit and the split designation and has an additional slug 942 for printing The fourth and final slide 931 is used in printing thousands digits and needs only one slug for printing 1 although, as will be seen below, an additional slug for printing a split symbol S may be included in the same position on slide 9320' as on slide 932C; suitable spacers, e.g., other type slugs, may be used between the 1" slug and the S slug as desired. Printing surface 944 on each type slug is disposed for printing the various indicia on a paper or the like between slugs 942 and prism surface 928. As each slide is permitted to move a given number of units to the left, it carries a given type slug under the impact portion 945 of a hammer 930 so that if hammer 930 strikes the type slug, the preselected and positioned slug will impress its corresponding mark on the paper.

As best seen in FIG. 12, type slugs 942 are 7 mounted between the slide 931 and a plate 946 mounted on slide 931 and spaced therefrom. Slugs 942 are vertically slidable between the plate 946 and slide 931 and each slug 942 has a projection which projects into a recess 948. Recess 948 extends the length of plate 946 and is of sufficient height to accommodate a leaf spring 950 which normally urges projections and type slugs 942 upward by their projections in recess 948. It will be noted that a striking force on the upper end of any of the type slugs will force the type slug, printing end downward, to impress a surface therebelow; and spring 950, held in place by pin 949, will urge against and return the type slug to its normal position as shown in FIG. 12.

The hammer mechanism includes a hammer for each slide 931. Thus, there are four hammer members 930. Hammers 930 are individually pivotally mounted on pin 966 which is secured at each end through frame 936. A pin 967 is provided on each hammer for lifting the hammer to operate the hammer by letting it fall with impact portion 945 striking the top of the aligned type slug, hammer 930 pivoting on pin 966.

Adjacent each hammer, a stop member 968 is also provided pivotally mounted on pin 966. Stop member 968 has a flange 970 projecting beneath the hammer to limit its downward travel and to lift it off the type slug after each impact. A pin 971, secured at each end to frame 936, projects through a limit slot 972 in each stop member 968 slightly elongate with respect to pin 971 so that when hammer 930 is lifted and dropped and strikes flange 970, stop member 968 will pivot slightly clockwise as viewed in FIG. 12 as permitted by the size of slot 972 on pin 971, thereby permitting hammer 930 to fall to a position slightly below that shown in FIG. 12 for striking the type and driving the type downward, sufficient to effect printing on a paper surface therebelow, but insufficient to transfer significant force of the printing hammer 930 to the glass surface 928.

Spring 974 is a tension spring connection between arms of stop member 968 and hammer 930 respectively to provide a resilient connection between the hammer and stop member. Further, the stop member 968 is grounded through spring 975 to pin 976 secured at each end to frame 936 so that when hammer 930 is lifted and dropped on flange 970, stop member 968 pivots clockwise the amount permitted and tension in spring 975 is increased. After the momentum of hammer 930 is stopped by the stop member, the shock being absorbed by resistance of the type slug and by pin 971, spring 975 returns stop member 968 counterclockwise to the position of FIG. 12 with flange 970 lifting hammer 930 from contact with the type slug. Spring 974 assists in positive driving of the hammer downward and adds to the force of gravity when hammer 930 is released from its elevated position.

A spring-loaded mechanism is provided for lifting and dropping hammer 930 to effect the printing operation. Accordingly, a pair of slides 977 is mounted by elongate slots 978 on pins 932. The two slides 977 are secured parallel to each other in spaced relation to each other by pins 981, 982, 984, 985, 986, 987 and 988. A pair of intermediate carried members 990 of the same general configuration as the midportions of slides 977 are spacedly mounted and carried on pins 984 and 987, thereby secured between and in spaced relation to slides 977. Mounted to each of slides 977 and members 990 on pin 985 is a scoop member 991 having a lateral curved flange 1014 along a lower angular surface thereof. Each scoop member 991 includes an arcuate elongate slot 992 through which pin 986 projects, slot 992 being slidable over pin 986 to permit pivoting of scoop member 991 about its pivot point 985. A latch 994 for normally latching scoop 991 in its elevated position as shown in FIG. 12 is pivotally mounted to each of slides 977 and 990 by a pin 995. Latch 994 is normally urged in a clockwise direction to engage a latch receiving portion of coop 991 by tension spring 996 extending between latch 994 and grounded to pin 997. Latch 994 is pivoted counterclockwise, extending spring 996, as described by Cornell et al., for normal operation of the hammer whenever it is desired to print. Each scoop 991 is normally urged in a counterclockwise direction by spring 1013 anchored on slide 977. With slides 977 and 990 held in their position to the right as in FIG. 12 by tape 998, scoops 991 are retained in elevated or clockwise position by a stop pin 1011 grounded at each end to frame 936.

A tension spring 980 is provided secured at one end to pin 981 on slides 977 and secured at the other end to pin 979 grounded to frame 936. With slides 977 in their home position, spring 980 is retained under tension by resistance of taut tape 998 secured to slides 977 by pin 982. Release of tension on tape 998, attached to pin 982, as will occur responsive to a print control mechanism to be described hereinbelow, permits tension spring 980 to drive slides 977 and 990 to the left as viewed in FIG. 12. As slides 977 and 990 travel to the left under the urging of spring 980, scoops 991 are carried clear of stop pin 1011 and springs 1013 urge scoops 991 downward. The end of the troughlike flange 1014 drops beneath pin 967 and pin 967 engages the interior of the trough 1014; and, as slides 977 carry the scoops 991 further to the left, pin 967 rides up the tough to the end thereof and drops from the righthand end of trough 1014 as viewed in FIG. 12. When hammer 930 falls from the upper end of scoop 1014, the printing operation as discussed above is effected.

The print head is reset by returning slides 977 to the right to the position of FIG. 12 by pulling tape 998 by a slide 1018 and pulley 1022 (FIGS. 13-15) mounted thereon. As slides 977 are pulled to the right, the lower arm 1023 of the scoop 991 engages stop pin 1011, and scoops 991 are thereby pivoted clockwise about pin 985 to the position shown. During their return, scoops 991 may ride by flanges 1014 over pin 967 of hammer 930 so that spring 975 is of sufficient strength to retain hammer 930 against pivoting. At home position. scoops 991, as will be seen, will also be relatched by latch member 994 in those cases where the latch member has been released. Tapes 941 are also pulled at this time by slides 1021 and pulleys 1019 (FIGS. 13-15) mounted thereon to return slides 931 to the right to the position shown in FIG. 12.

For operating the printer head 832, there is provided an operating mechanism which is indicated generally by reference number 835 (FIGS. 10 and 13-15) but which also extends by means of a plurality of operating tapes 998 and 941 to the printing head.

The print head control or operating mechanism (FIGS. 13-17) for setting type in the print head and for actuating the hammer is driven by a shaft 1036 which rotates one revolution per print cycle. Shaft 1036 is driven by shaft 1037 through solenoid actuated one-revolution clutch 1038. Shaft 1037 is in turn driven through sprocket chain 1039 from constantly driven shaft 860. Actuation of the one-revolution clutch solenoid PS initiates the one-revolution cycle of shaft 1036, i.e., the print cycle. Solenoid PS is actuated through a time delay circuit (FIG. 19) by a signal from the computer of Cornell et al. by closure of a print signal switch such as SWPR. Switch SWPR represents the switches PTM, PFS, and PBS in the Cornell et a1. computer.

In FIG. 17 one-revolution clutch 1038 and its actuation by solenoid PS is shown in more detail. Upon energization, solenoid PS pulls in latch member 1074 to pivot clockwise on pin 1075 against the urging of tension spring 1092 biasing between member 1074 and a bracket 1093 secured to frame 830, disengaging notch 1095 and permitting clutch member 1094 to rotate clockwise, carrying shaft 1036 therewith. During the first portion of the revolution of the clutch member 1094, solenoid PS is deenergized and latch 1074 rides on the edge surface of member 1094. At the end of the one revolution, notch 1095 is reengaged by latch 1074 to stop member 1094 and shaft 1036. The clutch is conventional and is not shown in detail.

As shaft 1036 rotates through one revolution, cams 1041, 1042, 1043 and 1044 (FIG. 13) are rotated through one revolution. Each of cam followers 1046 and 1047 is mounted on a slide 1048 or 1049 having elongate slots 1051 slidable over pins 1052. Cam followers 1046 and 1047 are slidably mounted on pins 1052 by elongate slots 1051 for slidable movement toward and away from cams 1041 and 1042. F01- lowers 1046 and 1047 are spring-urged normally forward, i.e., toward the cams, for following the cams during rotation of the cams. During cam rotation, followers 1046 and 1047 are urged rearward, with 1046 leading, by rises of cams 1041 and 1042, and urged toward shaft 1036 on falls in the cams, by springs 1053 and 1054.

Cam follower 1047 will control actuation of the printing hammer. To control the hammer actuation system, slide 1049 deviates laterally to a bifurcated portion 1057 having a pin 1 1058 therethrough. Hooked end 1056 of slide 1018 abuts pin 1058. The other end of slide 1018 is bifurcated and carries the pulley member 1022 pivotally mounted at 1062 having a tape 998 extending therearound. Slide 1018 is slidably mounted on a pair ofpins 1063 and 1064 through elongate slots 1066 Similarly, slide 1048 is slidable on pins 1052 via slots 1051 and carries a pin 1067 (FIG. 15) on a lateral deviation. I-Iooked ends 1056 of a plurality of four slides 1021 abut pin 1067. The four slides 1021 are each independently slidable on pins 1063 and 1064 via slots 1066 and are of the same general configuration as slide 1018, including the hooked ends 1056 and the pulleys 1019 pivotally mounted within the bifurcations of ends 1059. Slides 1021 each includes a ratchet edge 1068 (FIG. 13), each tooth of which represents one unit of movement of slide 1021. A magnet TS-l, TS-10, TS-100, or TS-1000 (FIG. is mounted on suitable framework adjacent edge 1068 of each slide 1021. Each of magnets TS has its core end 1069 disposed adjacent and facing a flange 1071 on a latch member 1072 pivotally mounted at 1073. Latch member 1072 is disposed to engage and disengage ratchet 1068 upon pivoting clockwise and counterclockwise about pin 1073, respectively.

During the first phase of the print cycle, the type is aligned, and during the second phase, the print hammer is actuated to print the score information reflected in the aligned type.

At the beginning of the print cycle, followers 1046 and 1047 are on rises of cams 1041 and 1042, respectively. As cam follower 1046 falls on cam 1041, pin 1067 is moved forward, magnets TS being deenergized and latches 1072, normally spring-urged in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 13, are disengaged from ratchets 1068. During the travel of pin 1067 forward, energization of any of the magnets TS will pivot latch 1072 into ratchet 1068 and hold the slide 1021 against following pin 1067. Meanwhile, follower 1047 continues on a rise holding pin 1058 and slide 1018 against movement in a rearward position.

Each of slides 1021 or 1018 is under tension from the typesetting springs 937 or scoop travel spring 980 in the printing head through a tape 941 or 998 which extends around a pulley 1022 or 1019 pivotally mounted at end 1059 of slide 1021 or 1018.

A circular commutator 1076 (FIGS. 13 and 16) is mounted on the printer frame. Commutator 1076 includes a wiper member 1077 which wipes a plurality of contacts, one corresponding to each digit or other indicia printable by the printer. Wiper 1077 is mounted on shaft 1036 and wipes these contacts identified by reference numeral 1078. Wiper 1077 also wipes a continuous hot contact 1079 on a wall 1081 of commutator 1076 facing the wall 1082 on which contacts 1078 are mounted. These contacts are diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 20.

The contacts 1078 are angularly disposed in an are for wiping by wiper 1077 and are disposed so that the zero" contact is wiped as follower 1081 begins to ride on the fall of cam 1041. The remainder of the contacts are spaced from each other a distance corresponding to the amount of rotation required by shaft 1036 to rotate cam 1041 an amount sufficient to permit slides 1021 to move forward one unit. Each unit of movement of a slide 1021 corresponds to the amount of movement required to permit the next digit or indicia to become aligned with the printer hammer for printing by the printer head. Thus, the total movement of slide 1021 is 14 units, one'unit for each indicia provided or one unit for each unit of movement of slides 931 in the printer head.

As the four slides 1021 slide on pins 1063 and 1064, each slide will come to a position in which the proper digit is aligned in the printing head to be struck by the printer hammer. This proper position is detected through commutator 1076 and the circuitry in FIG. 20. Accordingly, the commutator completes a circuit with the matrix MAT-1 (FIG. 20) through contacts 1096 (shown in phantom) riding on the matrix and positioned by the computation unit C. Completion of the circuit energizes the appropriate magnet TS-l, TS-l0, TS-l00 or TS-1000 to pivot latch 1072 into ratchet 1068 and hold slide 1021 against further sliding while pin 1067 continues forward. Thus, the proper digits are positioned in the printer head for printing.

Follower 1047 proceeds off its high on cam 1042, while follower 1046 is riding on the low dwell of cam 1041 and cam 1042 is configurated to cause a sufficiently abrupt fall to cause the print hammer to strike the type, while follower 1047 is on the low dwell. This causes printing of a score by the type as set. Followers 1046 and 1047 proceed up the rises near the end of the print cycle. Pins 1058 and 1067 engage hooks 1056 on slides 1021 and 1018 and return slides 1021 and 1018 rearward until at the top of the rise and end of the cycle slides 1021 and 1018 are in their rearward position shown in FIG. 13.

When the print signal is received from the computer, it is desired to print the score on the scoresheet. The print signal, after a delay to assure arrival of print head to proper X-Y position, as described by Cornell et al., energizes solenoid PS, releasing clutch 1038 for one revolution of shaft 1036, permitting alignment of the type by slides 1021 and permitting the slide 1018 to slide forward under the urging of spring 980 in the printer head, causing the printer scoop to slide across the printer head and effect the printing operation.

Latches 1072 remain in ratchet 1068 even after deenergization of magnet TS until slide 1021 is returned against the urging of the print head springs. As the slides 1021 return after the printing operation, and at the initiation of the next printing cycle, latches 1072 are spring-urged out of engagement with the ratchet 1068.

A pulse generator switch PG (FIGS. 13 and 20) is mounted for actuation by plunger 1083 which rides on a cam 1084. Cam 1084 includes a fall at every point where the commutator wiper is aligned with a contact of ratchet 1068 in exact alignment for engagement by latch 1072. At this point, plunger 1083, under urging of spring 1086, falls into a fall on cam 1084 and immediately rises to a rise. While plunger 1083 is in the fall, contacts 1087 and 1088 (FIG. 16), which contacts are ignition points and comprise switch PG (FIGS. 13 and 20), send a momentary pulse to the appropriate magnet TS to latch the appropriate slide 1021. The pulse generator system assures that the slide 1021 will be latched in the desired correct disposition and prevent arcing between commutator contacts.

Switch DP (FIGS. 13 and 19) is a normally open switch which closes once during each revolution of cam 1043, i.e., at the termination of a complete print cycle. Switch DP is actuated by a cam follower 1089 which follows cam 1043, cam 1043 having a fall at the end of the cycle. Switch DP is the source of the done printing signal sent to the computer to inform the computer the printing operation is complete and is identified in the Cornell et al, application, Ser. No. 366,297, by the same DP letter designation.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 20, data for transmission to the printer for directing the identity of indicia printed is generated by the computer by the contacts 1096 completing circuitry in matrix MAT-1 on a circuit board, in accordance with the score information to be printed. In general, upon completion of a computation to a point where it is desired to print the computed score information, a contact completing a circuit between electrically conductive horizontal strips HS and vertical strips VS of MAT-1 is moved along a strip HS one unit for each unit of magnitude of the digit desired to be printed in the corresponding position on the scoresheet. For example, where a total frame score of 126 has been computed and is ready for printing, a contact 1096 is moved six units along H S-U to complete a circuit with VS-6, another contact is moved two units along HS-T to complete a circuit with VS- 2, and still another contact 1096 is moved one unit along HS- H to complete a circuit with VS-l. In like manner, where sixteen team marks have been computed and it is desired to print the number of marks, other contacts 1096 are moved along HS-M and HS'MT to complete electrical circuitry with VS-6 and VS-l, respectively. For printing box scores after each ball of a frame, a contact is moved along HS-BS one unit for each pinfall count after bowling each ball.

Matrix MAT-1 comprises surface 1097, a printed circuit in the form of electrically conductive strips HS, and is a lower surface upon which readout contacts 1096 may be positioned by the computer, and another surface 1098 having electrically conductive printed circuit strips VS, which is spaced above and parallel to surface 1097. The readout contacts 1096 are moved by the computer in contact with both surfaces. The HS and VS strips and readout contacts 1096 are similarly identified in Cornell et al., Ser No. 366,297, as is the positioning of the contacts along the strips by a computer to provide computer output which can be used by the printer for setting type. Proper alignment of the printed circuit surfaces will be apparent and, in the illustrated matrices, may be accomplished by pivoting surface 1098 facially against surface 1097 from the position shown generally along the phantom line between surfaces 1097 and 1098 and then raising surface 1098 for securing at a proper spaced distance above surface 1097, depending on the height of the readout contacts 1096 with the reference corner lines, a, b, c, and d, respectively, in vertical spaced registry.

The contacts 1096 are illustrated in phantom in their home or zero position in FIG. 20 and are carried by the computer along strips HS-BS, I-IS-M, HS-MT, I-IS-U, I-IS-T and I-IS-I-I from left to right as viewed in FIG. 20. Each unit of a score digit to be printed carries the contact a distance from the center of one strip VS to the center of the next strip VS. For readout of information, a circuit is completed between the strip HS and one of the strips VS by each contact determining the digit to be printed in units, tens or hundreds positions.

The contacts 2BK-4 (FIG. 20) are shown in a position for printing a strike" symbol responsive to a pinfall of 10, as would be the case on a first ball ofa frame. The computer controls these contacts and reverses them from the positions shown on second ball condition to cause printing of a spare symbol responsive to a pinfall of 10.

The computation and control system controls the printing of box score to properly award box scores to players. In the circuitry of FIG. 20, switches CBS, CTM, CFS, F-l2, pll-9, and Pl0R-9 relay 1000K, and relay contacts CARK-ll, CALK-ll, FCLK-B and -4, FCRK-3 and -4, FK-2 and -3, and 2BK-3 and -4 are operated by the computation and control system in the manner described by Cornell et al. in Ser. No. 366,297. Switches CBS, CTM and CFS connect the computer with the printer preparatory to printing box score, team marks and frame score respectively; the FlOK relay and switch F-l2 control a change in printing procedure during bowl-out as will be explained below; switch Pl0L-9 or Pl0R-9 is opened by the computer whenever ten pins have been knocked down on the left or right lane respectively. The FCRK and FCLK relay contacts and CARK-ll and CALK-ll are controlled by the computer to block printing of box score until a foul can be confirmed and to later print the F symbol on confirmation or print box score on denial ofa foul condition. The 2BK-3 and 2BK-4 contacts are reversed by the computation and control system during a second ball of a frame as described by Cornell et al.

During operation of the scoring system, scoresheet 200 (FIG. 2) is disposed on surface 928 (FIG. 12) for printing thereon by the printing type 9412 thereabove. The printer head assembly may be provided on hinges, e.g., as shown at 839 (FIG. 10), to open out of the way giving better access to the surface 928. Surface 928 may be an internally reflective surface of a prism as described by Jack A. Russell in Application Ser. No. 365,960, filed May 8, 1964, and entitled Projection Apparatus," now U.S. Pat. No. 3,269,259 granted Aug. 30, 1966, from which an image can be projected to a viewing screen, scoresheet 200 including a transfer backing for transferring the image printed thereon to prism surface 928.

- Scoresheet 200 is a two-team scoresheet, the upper grid being for scoring bowlers on team A and the lower grid for scoring bowlers on team B. The printer head is moved along X axis for positioning the type over the appropriate frame box on scoresheet 200. The scoresheet 200 bears a relation to the amount of movement permitted by tapes X and Y in that winding of tape T-X 0n spool 927 one unit permits travel of the head to the next scoring frame of scoresheet 200, from left to right, as viewed in FIG. 2.

Likewise, reeling of one Y unit of tape T-Y onto spool 905 causes movement of the printer head from one bowlers score line to the next bowlders score line, and the reeling of onehalf unit of the Y tape will change the print head position from boxes 201 and 202 to the space 203 therebelow for printing frame score, Multiple units of winding or unwinding of tape T- Y will move the same multiple lines upward or downward for positioning a new bowlers line beneath the printing head.

In the first nine frames, indicia is printed in the first ball box 201 by the 10s hammer and type line and in the second ball box 202 by the units hammer and type. In the tenth frame, printing in box 201 is by the s hammer and type, printing in box 202 by the 10s and printing in box 204 by the units. Frame score is printed in area 203. In printing frame scores and game totals where a plurality of digits may be needed for one score number, the units, 10's and 100s hammer and type mechanisms are used for printing in their respective digit positions simultaneously. The game totals for each player are printed in box or column 205a. Each game total of a preceding player is added to that of succeeding players on the same team as the players finish their game, and the subtotals are printed in boxes or column 205b, giving a complete team total in column 205b opposing the name of the last player of the team.

During bowl-out scoring in the tenth and subsequent frames, only box scores are printed until after the last ball of the game. During this period, the channel to the printer is provided through switch CBS which is closed by the computer each time the information is to be printed. However, because of the possibility of three balls being bowled and the possibility of up to three frames being completed during bowl-out and because the score for all such balls and frames is printed in the column for frame 10 on scoresheet 200 (FIG. 2), an additional box 204 is included. Box 204 has the same printing position as boxes 202 of preceding frames, and box 202 of frame 10 has the same printing position as boxes 201 in previous frames. Box 201 offrame 10 represents a new printing position and, as is apparent from the wiring diagram of FIG. 20, the 100s printing type and hammer can be used for printing in this box. The computer controls the printer for printing in the proper position in each frame.

In general, to print in the tenth frame, the computer reverses a switch F-l2 (FIG. 20) and reverses contacts F10K-2 and F l0K-3 from the positions shown to channel box score information from matrix MAT-1 to be printed by the 100s type and hammer, i.e., in box 201 of the tenth frame. Switch F-l2 in the position indicated in FIG. 20 will cause printing of box score in box 202 of the tenth frame by the 10s type and hammer, and reversal by the computer of contacts of switch F- 12, illustrated diagrammatically as a SPDT switch, will cause printing of box score information in box 204 of the tenth frame by the units type and hammer.

If the first ball in the tenth frame is a strike, the next ball bowled is the first ball in the seventh frame. In the eleventh frame the printer is controlled to print by the 10s type in the box 202 of the tenth frame.

If both the first ball in the tenth frame and the first ball in the eleventh frame are strikes, then the next or third ball becomes the first ball in the twelfth frame. The contacts of switch F-l2 are reversed by the computer. This causes the box score to be printed in box 204 of frame 10 on scoresheet 200.

If the first ball in the tenth frame is a strike, but the first ball in the eleventh is not a strike, the computer directs the printer to print the second ball box score in the eleventh frame in box 204 of the tenth frame which corresponds to box 202 of frames 1 through 9. For the first ball in the eleventh frame, following a spare in the tenth frame, the computer directs the printer to print in the box score in box 204 of frame 10.

On occurrence of a split during frames I-9, the split detector closes switch I-IP without opening switch NS; and, since the summer and split detector are both associated with only one lane at a time, there is no need to block signals from another or other lanes. The one hundreds digit row of type is aligned to print S, switch CBS having been closed by the computer, and the 5" symbol is printed in area 207 at the same time as the numerical box score is printed in box 201 or 202 in frames 1-9.

In order to eliminate printing of a split symbol as a result of frame pinfall detection, i.e., after second ball of a frame, a set of normally closed contacts 2BK-3a are provided. These contacts are operated along with contacts 2BK-3 and remain closed unless opened by a second ball signal in the computation and control system, e.g., as relay contacts of relay 28K of Cornell et al. The contacts 2BK-3a can be eliminated if it is

Claims (12)

1. In an apparatus for scoring a bowling game in which pinfall results from the rolling of a ball against a pin setup of a plurality of pins, including means for indicating the standing or fallen condition of each pin of the setup following rolling of the ball, the improvement comprising means for receiving pin condition indications from said indicating means and detecting any of the standing pin combinations illustrated in FIG. 9 where the head pin is one of the downed pins and in which at least two pins are standing, separate means for detecting all pin combinations where the head pin is among said standing pins or where less than two pins remain standing, and means controlled by both of said detecting means for generating a signal indicative of a split in the absence of detection of any of the FIG. 9 combinations and in the absence of detection of the head pin or less than two pins.

2. A split detector apparatus for determining nonsplit combinations from pins fallen at each pin position of a bowling pin setup on a bowling lane, comprising: a. a frame, b. a plurality of separate members, one for each pin position, c. means mounting each member on said frame for movement in two directions between a normal position and a detect position, the normal and detect positions for each member being spaced one unit of distance from each other, d. stop means on said frame for stopping movement of each member in detect position, e. releasable latch means, one for each pin position, for latching the respective members in their normal position, f. means urging each of said members toward detect position, g. first means carried by each member in normal position identifying nonsplit pin combinations including the pin of the corresponding pin position as a standing pin, h. second means carried by each member in detect position identifying nonsplit pin combinations excluding the pin of the corresponding pin position as a standing pin, and i. means for comparing said first carried means of members in normal position with said second carried means of members in detect position for determining nonsplit nature of standing pins in pin position corresponding to unreleased ones of said latch means.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, including: reset means for returning all of said members to normal position against said urging means.

4. An apparatus for detecting splits from pinfall information received from an automatic pinsetter having individual switches for detecting pins fallen at each pin position of a bowling pin setup on a bowling lane, comprising: a. a frame, b. a plurality of separate slide members, one for each pin position, each mounted on said frame for parallel reciprocal sliding movement through a distance of one unit between normal and detect positions, c. means for separately moving each slide from normal position to detect position, d. notch positions along said slides corresponding in number to a number of basic nonsplit standing pin combinations, e. first notches in each slide with said slide in normal position at each notch position corresponding to a nonsplit pin combination in which the pin at the respective pin position is standing, f. second notches one unit away from the first notches corresponding to a nonsplit pin combination in which the pin of the respective pin position can be down, g. feeler means corresponding to each basic nonsplit pin combination mounted at respective notch positions for movement into engagement with said slide means across the slides for feeling and detecting a complete alignment of notches by falling within any complete alignment of notches, h. first normally closed switch means for generating a signal eliminating detected nonsplit combinations, i. bail means engaged by each of said feeler means and mounted on said frame for movement to open said first switch means responsive to detection of a complete alignment of notches by any of said feeler means, j. second normally open switch means, k. cam follower means for operating said second switch means, and l. means on the head pin slide for blocking said cam follower means from operating said second switch means with the head pin slide in normal position and for unblocking said cam follower means while in detect position.

5. For use in connection with a bowling game utilizing 10 pins respectively on pin spots arranged in an equilateral triangular pattern on a support surface, wherein a base of the triangular pattern is located transverse to the bowling lane at the rear end thereof, wherein the pin nearest the bowler is designated the head pin and the pins are numbered 1-10 in rows from front to rear and left to right in each row, and wherein the pins standing following the rolling of a first ball in a frame of the game are characterized as a split if the head pin is down and (a) at least one pin is down between two or more pins which remain standing in any line transverse to or inclined to the longitudinal axis of the lane, except when the 2,4,5,7 and 9 are the only pins standing or the 3,5,6,8 and 10 are the only pins standing, or (b) at least one pin is down ahead of two or more pins in a transverse line in combination, except when the 2, 4, 5, 7 and 9 pins are standing or the 3, 5, 6, 8 and 10 pins are standing, split determining means, comprising, signaling means corresponding respectively to the pin spots and adapted to be actuated to produce signals indicative of the standing pins following the rolling of a first ball of a frame in the game, means providing a source of electrical power, means providing an electrical output indicative of a split, and an electric circuit connecting the source and the output including means responsive to said signaling means and arranged to transmit power from said source to said output upon the actuation of the signaling means in any combination indicating a split as defined above.

6. In a bowling apparatus for detecting and indicating ''''splits'''' rolled during a bowling game wherein two balls are normally rolled by a bowler during a succession of scoring frames at a setup of ten pins arrayed in a triangular pattern on respective pin spots with the pin nearest the bowler being designated the ''''head pin'''' and the pins being numbered 1-10 in rows from front to rear and left to right in each row, the combination comprising: A. first means for detecting the pin condition at each pin spot and for providing an input signal for each pin spot designating whether the respective pin is downed or standing; B. second means for providing an input signal indicating whether a ball rolled is the first or second ball in a scoring frame; C. ''''split'''' determining means for receiving said input signals and responsive thereto for providing an output signal indicating the existence of a ''''split'''' whenever i. the head pin is downed; and ii. at least one pin is down a. between two or more standing pins, except when the 2,4,5,7 and 9 are the only pins standing or the 3,5,6,8 and 10 are the only pins standing, or b. immediately ahead of two or more pins which remain standing; except when the 2, 4, 5, 7 and 9 pins are standing or the 3, 5, 6, 8 and 10 pins are standing, and whenever said input signal from said second means indicates that the first balL in a scoring frame has been rolled; and D. means for receiving said output signal from said split determining means and responsive thereto to indicate to a bowler the existence of a ''''split.''''

7. The bowling apparatus of claim 6 further including means for providing an input signal designating the legality of a ball that has been rolled; said split determining means further being operative to receive said legality designating signal and responsive thereto to provide said output signal only when the ball has been legally rolled.

8. An apparatus for scoring a bowling game in which pinfall results from the rolling of a ball against the pin setup of a plurality of pins, and including the combination of claim 6, said apparatus further including totalizing means including a differential unit having at least one power input for each pin position, motor means for each pin position for actuating the respective power input responsive to the input signals from said first means, a common power output indicating pin count, and a separate power output for each pin position indicating pin condition; computation means for receiving pin count from said common power output computing bowling scores from pin count; said split determining means further including means for receiving pin condition indications from the separate power output and eliminating all nonsplit standing pin combinations in which the head pin is one of the downed pins and where at least two pins are standing, separate means for eliminating all pin combinations where the head pin is among said standing pins and where less than two pins remain standing, and means for generating said output signal responsive to said noneliminated standing pin conditions.

9. The combination of claim 6 further including a frame, a block and tackle including a separate pulley for each pin position mounted for movement of its axis within the block and tackle and a continuous tape disposed about said pulleys for moving said pulleys from an extended position with the block and tackle extended to a contraced position with the block and tackle contracted, a plurality of separate members, one for each pin position, mounted on said frame for movement and each associated with a separate pulley for movement therewith from a normal position to a detect position as the block and tackle is contracted, stop means on said frame for stopping movement of each member upon movement from normal to detect position a distance of one unit, latch means, one for each pin position, for latching the respective members in the normal position, separate motor means for unlatching the respective latch means, said split determining means including a plurality of split detection stations corresponding in number to a number of basic non-split pin conditions, first means carried by each member at each split detection station with the member in normal position, corresponding to a non-split combination in which the pin at the respective pin position is standing, second means carried by each member at each split detection system with the member in normal position corresponding to a non-split pin combination in which the pin of the respective pin position can be downed, means corresponding to each basic non-split combination at respective split detection stations for feeling and detecting a non-split combination from said carried means, first switch means for generating a signal responsive to a non-split combination detected by said feeling means, second switch means, and means for selectively operating said second switch means responsive to a condition with the head pin movable member in detect position and with at least two of said members in normal position.

10. For use in a bowling game having a multiplicity of frames in which pinfall occurs from the bowling of at least one ball against a plurality of standing pins in a pin setup, an apparatus according to claim 6 and further including means for receiving input signals from said first means oN a ball-by-ball basis and for totalizing pinfall.

11. A bowling apparatus according to claim 6 especially adapted for detecting and indicating splits rolled during a plurality of bowling games played substantially simultaneously on a plurality of lanes by a plurality of players, said apparatus further comprising a plurality of said first means, one for each lane, and said split determining means being a single apparatus for receiving input signals from any one of said first means, said split indicating means further including means for indicating to the bowler on the lane from which said split determining means received said input signals the existence of a split.

12. In a bowling apparatus for detecting and indicating ''''splits'''' rolled during a bowling game wherein two balls are normally rolled by a bowler during a succession of scoring frames at a setup of ten pins arrayed in a triangular pattern on respective pin spots with the pin nearest the bowler being designated the ''''head pin'''' and the pins being numbered 1-10 in rows from front to rear and left to right in each row, the combination comprising: A. means for identifying the pin condition at each pin spot after the first ball in a frame and indicating whether the respective pin is downed or standing; B. ''''split'''' determining means responsive to said identifying means for providing an output signal indicating the existence of a ''''split'''' whenever i. the head pin is downed; and ii. at least one pin is down a. between two or more standing pins, except when the 2,4,5,7 and 9 are the only pins standing or the 3,5,6,8 and 10 are the only pins standing, or b. immediately ahead of two or more pins which remain standing, except when the 2, 4, 5, 7 and 9 pins are standing or the 3, 5, 6, 8 and 10 pins are standing.

Images