Importance

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Abstract

A bowling alley pinsetter includes a conveyor belt forming a partial central portion of a pit surface. Hard plastic panels having a slippery top surface flank the central conveyor. The panels are inclined downward from pit kickbacks toward the conveyor belt for deflecting balls and pins onto the belt. Pins are delivered to a pin elevator by the belt. A ball stop extending transversely across is elevated for passing pins beneath while stopping a bowling ball. A ball sensor detects the ball at the ball stop and initiates a sweeping motion of a ball rake stored proximate one kickback transversely across the pit surface along the ball stop for urging the ball across the pit surface, including the inclined panel, to an opening within one kickback for delivery to an adjacent ball return assembly. The ball rake employs a groove shaft and pawl for converting rotational movement of the shaft to a linear movement of the ball rake. A ball door blocking passage through the opening is lifted during the sweeping action for permitting the ball to be passed through the opening. Upon return of the ball rake to its stored position, the ball door returns to its blocking position. The central conveyor belt is driven by rollers having a groove for receiving a continuous tract extending from an inner surface of the belt contacting the rollers. The track and groove arrangement prevent side to side movement of the belt.

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First Claim