Glow-in-the-dark bowling game and method

Abstract

A glow-in-the-dark bowling game includes an enclosure with ambient lighting normally illuminating the same, and at least one bowling lane. A UV sensitive dye or pigment is incorporated into at least a portion of the upper surface of the bowling lane. A UV light source is positioned generally above the bowling lane, and is selectively operable for directing UV light onto the upper surface of the bowling lane. To play the glow-in-the-dark bowling game, the ambient lighting is dimmed or turned off, and the UV light source is turned on, causing the UV sensitive dye or pigment to emit visible light.

The invention claims is as follows.  
     
         1 - A glow-in-the-dark bowling game, comprising: 
 an enclosure having an interior configured to play said glow-in-the-dark bowling game therein, and having ambient lighting normally illuminating the interior of said enclosure, which is adapted to be dimmed or turned off to selectively darken the interior of said enclosure;    at least one bowling lane having an elongate, substantially flat upper surface defining a pit end thereof, and an approach end thereof opposite said pit end, and an intermediate area disposed between said approach end and said pit end; said intermediate area of said bowling lane upper surface including a UV light sensitive dye or pigment associated with at least a predetermined portion thereof;    a plurality of bowling pins positioned adjacent said pit end of said bowling lane upper surface in a preselected pattern;    at least one bowling ball configured to be rolled by one or more players over said upper surface of said bowling lane from said approach end thereof to said pit end thereof in an attempt to knock down said bowling pins;    at least one gutter positioned alongside said bowling lane, and configured to rollingly receive said bowling ball therein to transport said bowling ball between said pit end and said approach end of said bowling lane upper surface; and    a UV light source positioned in said enclosure generally above said bowling lane, and being selectively operable for directing UV light onto said upper surface of said bowling lane, thereby causing said UV light sensitive dye or pigment exposed to the UV light to fluoresce and emit visible light, whereby to play said glow-in-the-dark bowling game, at least a majority of said ambient lighting is turned off or dimmed to darken at least that portion of said enclosure interior disposed adjacent to said bowling lane, and said UV light source is turned on causing said UV light sensitive dye or pigment on said bowling lane to emit visible light sufficient to enable the players to see said bowling lane, and accurately roll said bowling ball at said bowling pins.    
     
     
         2 - A glow-in-the-dark bowling game as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said bowling pins each include an outer surface with a UV light sensitive dye or pigment applied to at least a portion thereof; and    said UV light source is positioned to direct UV light onto said bowling pins, thereby causing said light sensitive dye or pigment on said outer surface thereof to fluoresce and emit a visible light to assist the players in accurately rolling said bowling ball at said bowling pins.    
     
     
         3 - A glow-in-the-dark bowling game as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein: 
 said bowling ball includes an outer surface with a UV light sensitive dye or pigment applied to at least a portion thereof; and    said UV light source is positioned to direct UV light onto said bowling ball, thereby causing said light sensitive dye or pigment on said outer surface thereof to fluoresce and emit a visible light.    
     
     
         4 - A glow-in-the-dark bowling game as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein: 
 said upper surface of said bowling lane includes advertising materials.    
     
     
         5 - A glow-in-the-dark bowling game as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein: 
 said upper surface of said bowling lane includes decorative effects.    
     
     
         6 - A glow-in-the-dark bowling game as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein: 
 said bowling lane includes an approach area disposed forward of said approach end of said upper surface;    said approach area includes a UV light sensitive dye or pigment associated with at least a predetermined portion thereof; and    said UV light source is positioned to direct UV light onto said approach area, thereby causing said light sensitive dye or pigment thereon to fluoresce and emit a visible light.    
     
     
         7 - A glow-in-the-dark bowling game as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein: 
 said approach area includes an upper surface with advertising materials thereon.    
     
     
         8 - A glow-in-the-dark bowling game as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein: 
 said upper surface of said approach area includes decorative effects.    
     
     
         9 - A glow-in-the-dark bowling game as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein: 
 said bowling lane includes a pin deck area disposed rearward of said pit end of said upper surface;    said pin deck area includes a UV light sensitive dye or pigment associated with at least a predetermined portion thereof; and    said UV light source is positioned to direct UV light onto said pin deck area, thereby causing said light sensitive dye or pigment thereon to fluoresce and emit a visible light.    
     
     
         10 - A glow-in-the-dark bowling game as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein: 
 said pin deck area includes an upper surface with advertising materials thereon.    
     
     
         11 - A glow-in-the-dark bowling game as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein: 
 said upper surface of said pin deck area includes decorative effects.    
     
     
         12 - A glow-in-the-dark bowling game as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein: 
 said gutter includes an upper surface with a UV light sensitive dye or pigment applied to at least a portion thereof; and    said UV light source is positioned to direct UV light onto said upper surface of said gutter, thereby causing said light sensitive dye or pigment on said outer surface thereof to fluoresce and emit a visible light.    
     
     
         13 - A glow-in-the-dark bowling game as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein: 
 said enclosure includes a ceiling with a saw tooth configuration; and    said UV light source is mounted on said ceiling.    
     
     
         14 - A glow-in-the-dark bowling game as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein: 
 said ceiling includes vertical saw tooth portions; and    said UV light is mounted on one of said saw tooth portions of said ceiling.    
     
     
         15 - A glow-in-the-dark bowling game as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein: 
 said enclosure is relatively window free.    
     
     
         16 - A glow-in-the-dark bowling game as set forth in  claim 15 , including: 
 a masking unit positioned between said intermediate area and said pit end of said bowling lane; and    a second UV light source positioned behind said masking unit and being selectively operable for directing UV light onto said bowling pins.    
     
     
         17 - A glow-in-the-dark bowling game as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein: 
 said UV light sensitive dye or pigment is colorless in daylight.    
     
     
         18 - A glow-in-the-dark bowling game as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein: 
 said visible light emitted from said UV light sensitive dye or pigment creates a somewhat eerie, but nonetheless mysteriously pleasant sensation, during said glow-in-the-dark bowling games.    
     
     
         19 - A glow-in-the-dark bowling game as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said bowling ball includes an outer surface with a UV light sensitive dye or pigment applied to at least a portion thereof; and    said UV light source is positioned to direct UV light onto said bowling ball, thereby causing said light sensitive dye or pigment on said outer surface thereof to fluoresce and emit a visible light.    
     
     
         20 - A glow-in-the-dark bowling game as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said upper surface of said bowling lane includes advertising materials.    
     
     
         21 - A glow-in-the-dark bowling game as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said upper surface of said bowling lane includes decorative effects.    
     
     
         22 - A glow-in-the-dark bowling game as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said bowling lane includes an approach area disposed forward of said approach end of said upper surface;    said approach area includes a UV light sensitive dye or pigment associated with at least a predetermined portion thereof; and    said UV light source is positioned to direct UV light onto said approach area, thereby causing said light sensitive dye or pigment thereon to fluoresce and emit a visible light.    
     
     
         23 - A glow-in-the-dark bowling game as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said bowling lane includes a pin deck area disposed rearward of said pit end of said upper surface;    said pin deck area includes a UV light sensitive dye or pigment associated with at least a predetermined portion thereof; and    said UV light source is positioned to direct UV light onto said pin deck area, thereby causing said light sensitive dye or pigment thereon to fluoresce and emit a visible light.    
     
     
         24 - A glow-in-the-dark bowling game as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said gutter includes an upper surface with a UV light sensitive dye or pigment applied to at least a portion thereof; and    said UV light source is positioned to direct UV light onto said upper surface of said gutter, thereby causing said light sensitive dye or pigment on said outer surface thereof to fluoresce and emit a visible light.    
     
     
         25 - A glow-in-the-dark bowling game as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said enclosure includes a ceiling with a saw tooth configuration; and    said UV light source is mounted on said ceiling.    
     
     
         26 - A glow-in-the-dark bowling game as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said enclosure is relatively window free.    
     
     
         27 - A glow-in-the-dark bowling game as set forth in  claim 1 , including: 
 a masking unit positioned between said intermediate area and said pit end of said bowling lane; and    a second UV light source positioned behind said masking unit and being selectively operable for directing UV light onto said bowling pins.    
     
     
         28 - A glow-in-the-dark bowling game as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said UV light sensitive dye or pigment is colorless in daylight.    
     
     
         29 - A glow-in-the-dark bowling game as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said visible light emitted from said UV light sensitive dye or pigment creates a somewhat eerie, but nonetheless mysteriously pleasant sensation, during said glow-in-the-dark bowling game.    
     
     
         30 - A method for playing a bowling game, comprising: 
 providing a bowling establishment including an enclosure containing at least one bowling lane having a pit end, an opposite approach end, and gutters on either side thereof;    providing a conventional source of illumination for lighting the interior of the enclosure and the bowling lane;    incorporating an ultraviolet light fluorescing dye or pigment in at least a portion of the upper surface of the bowling lane, so that the same will visibly fluoresce when exposed to ultraviolet light;    providing a UV light source of illumination for the interior of the enclosure that provides light in the ultraviolet light range, so as to cause the ultraviolet light fluorescing dye or pigment to visibly fluoresce within the enclosure; and    deactivating the conventional source of illumination for substantially the entirety of at least one bowling game, while operating the UV light source of illumination continuously during the course of the bowling game, so that the bowling game is played in the dark on a fluorescing bowling lane.    
     
     
         31 - A method as set forth in  claim 30 , wherein: 
 said incorporating step comprises applying the UV sensitive dye to a predetermined portion of the upper surface of the bowling lane, such that when the conventional source of illumination is turned off, and the UV light source of illumination is turned on, the UV sensitive dye or pigment on the upper surface of the bowling lane emits visible light sufficient to enable the players to accurately roll a bowling ball at bowling pins arranged adjacent the pit end of the bowling lane.    
     
     
         32 - A method as set forth in  claim 31 , including: 
 incorporating a UV light sensitive dye or pigment in at least a portion of the outer surface of the bowling pins; and    positioning the UV light source of illumination to direct UV light onto the bowling pins, thereby causing said light sensitive dye or pigment on said outer surface thereof to fluoresce and emit a visible light to assist the players in accurately rolling the bowling ball at the bowling pins.    incorporating a UV light sensitive dye or pigment in at least a portion of the outer surface of the bowling ball; and    positioning the UV light source of illumination to direct UV light onto the bowling ball, thereby causing said light sensitive dye or pigment on said outer surface thereof to fluoresce and emit a visible light.    
     
     
         34 - A method as set forth in claim  33 , including: 
 incorporating advertising materials in the upper surface of the bowling lane.    
     
     
         35 - A method as set forth in  claim 34 , including: 
 incorporating decorative effects in the upper surface of the bowling lane.    
     
     
         36 - A method as set forth in  claim 35 , including: 
 providing an approach area disposed forward of the approach end of the upper surface of the bowling lane;    incorporating a UV light sensitive dye or pigment in a predetermined portion of the approach area; and    positioning the UV light source of illumination to direct UV light onto the approach area, thereby causing the light sensitive dye or pigment thereon to fluoresce and emit a visible light.    
     
     
         37 - A method as set forth in  claim 36 , including: 
 providing a pin deck area disposed rearward of the pit end of the upper surface of the bowling lane;    incorporating a UV light sensitive dye or pigment in at least a predetermined portion of the pin deck area; and    positioning the UV light source of illumination to direct UV light onto the pin deck area, thereby causing the light sensitive dye or pigment thereon to fluoresce and emit a visible light.    
     
     
         38 - A method as set forth in  claim 37 , including: 
 incorporating a UV light sensitive dye or pigment in at least a portion of the upper surface of the gutters; and    positioning the UV light source of illumination to direct UV light onto the upper surface of the gutters, thereby causing the light sensitive dye or pigment on said outer surface thereof to fluoresce and emit a visible light.    
     
     
         39 - A method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said visible light emitted from said UV light sensitive dye or pigment creates a somewhat eerie, but nonetheless mysteriously pleasant sensation, during said glow-in-the-dark bowling game.    
     
     
         40 - A UV light fluorescing film for bowling lanes, comprising: 
 a thin transparent film of a material selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polycarbonates, polyurethane, polystyrenes, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, acrylics, polyurethane, fluorocarbon polymers and nylon;    a pressure sensitive adhesive on one side of said film selected from the group consisting of acrylic, vinyl acrylic copolymer, rubber resin and silicone pressure sensitive adhesives; and    an ultraviolet light sensitive dye or pigment that is essentially colorless in daylight but fluoresces in ultraviolet light dispersed in said adhesive.    
     
     
         41 - A UV light fluorescing film as set forth in  claim 40 , wherein: 
 said film has a total thickness between about 0.63 and 2.50 mm, and is made from a polycarbonate material.    
     
     
         42 - A UV light fluorescing film as set forth in  claim 41 , wherein: 
 said film comprises a first layer and a second layer underlying said first layer; and    said first layer comprises a lubricious polymeric material and polycarbonate.    
     
     
         43 - A UV light fluorescing film as set forth in  claim 42 , wherein: 
 said first layer includes an optical brightener.    
     
     
         44 - A UV light fluorescing film as set forth in  claim 43 , wherein: 
 said second layer includes: 
 a color tinting material; and  
 an ultraviolet light blocker.  
   
     
     
         45 - A UV light fluorescing film as set forth in  claim 44 , wherein: 
 said film further includes a third layer underlying said second layer.    
     
     
         46 - A UV light fluorescing film as set forth in  claim 45 , wherein: 
 said film has an undersurface free of adhesive.    
     
     
         47 - A UV light fluorescing film as set forth in  claim 46 , wherein: 
 said film comprises a mixture of about 5-20 percent of a lubricious polymeric material and correspondingly about 80-95 percent polycarbonate.    
     
     
         48 - A method for making a bowling establishment, comprising: 
 erecting an enclosure having an interior configured to play a bowling game therein;    positioning ambient lighting in the enclosure for normally illuminating the interior of the same, which ambient lighting is adapted to be dimmed or turned off to selectively darken the interior of the enclosure;    forming at least one bowling lane in the interior of the enclosure, having an elongate, substantially flat upper surface defining a pit end thereof, and an approach end thereof opposite said pit end, and an intermediate area disposed between said approach end and said pit end of the bowling lane upper surface;    incorporating a UV light sensitive dye or pigment in at least a predetermined portion of the intermediate area of the bowling lane upper surface;    positioning a plurality of bowling pins adjacent the pit end of the bowling lane upper surface in a preselected pattern;    providing at least one bowling ball configured to be rolled by one or more players over the upper surface of the bowling lane from the approach end thereof to the pit end thereof in an attempt to knock down the bowling pins;    providing at least one gutter alongside the bowling lane, which is configured to rollingly receive the bowling ball therein to transport the bowling ball between the pit end and the approach end of the bowling lane upper surface;    positioning a UV light source in the enclosure generally above the bowling lane; and    selectively activating the UV light source to direct UV light onto the upper surface of the bowling lane, thereby causing the light sensitive dye or pigment exposed to the UV light to fluoresce and emit visible light, whereby at least a majority of the ambient lighting is turned off or dimmed to darken at least that portion of the enclosure interior disposed adjacent to the bowling lane, and the UV light source is turned on causing the UV sensitive dye or pigment on the bowling lane to emit visible light sufficient to enable the players to see the bowling lane, and accurately roll the bowling ball at the bowling pins.    
     
     
         49 - A method as set forth in  claim 48 , including: 
 incorporating a UV light sensitive dye or pigment applied to at least a portion of the outer surface of the bowling pins; and    positioning the UV light source to direct UV light onto the bowling pins, thereby causing said light sensitive dye or pigment on said outer surface thereof to fluoresce and emit a visible light to assist the players in accurately rolling the bowling ball at the bowling pins.    
     
     
         50 - A method as set forth in  claim 49 , including: 
 incorporating a UV light sensitive dye or pigment applied to at least a portion of the outer surface of the bowling ball; and    positioning the UV light source to direct UV light onto the bowling ball, thereby causing the light sensitive dye or pigment on the outer surface thereof to fluoresce and emit a visible light.    
     
     
         51 - A method as set forth in  claim 50 , including: 
 incorporating advertising materials in the upper surface of the bowling lane.    
     
     
         52 - A method as set forth in  claim 51 , including: 
 incorporating decorative effects in the upper surface of the bowling lane.    
     
     
         53 - A method as set forth in  claim 52 , wherein: 
 forming an approach forward of the approach end of the upper surface of the bowling lane;    incorporating a UV light sensitive dye or pigment in at least a portion of the approach area; and    positioning the UV light source to direct UV light onto the approach area, thereby causing the light sensitive dye or pigment thereon to fluoresce and emit a visible light.    
     
     
         54 - A method as set forth in  claim 53 , including: 
 forming a pin deck area rearward of the pit end of said upper surface of the bowling lane;    incorporating a UV light sensitive dye or pigment in at least a portion of the pin deck area; and    positioning the UV light source to direct UV light onto the pin deck area, thereby causing the light sensitive dye or pigment thereon to fluoresce and emit a visible light.    
     
     
         55 - A method as set forth in  claim 54 , including: 
 incorporating a UV light sensitive dye or pigment in at least a portion of the upper surface of the gutter; and    positioning the UV light source to direct UV light onto the upper surface of the gutter, thereby causing the light sensitive dye or pigment on the upper surface thereof to fluoresce and emit a visible light.    
     
     
         56 - A method as set forth in  claim 55 , wherein: 
 said enclosure erecting step includes forming a ceiling with a saw tooth configuration; and    said UV light source positioning step includes mounting the UV light source on the ceiling.