Bowling center and illuminated light panel therefore

Abstract

A bowling center and light panel therefore includes a string of lights disposed between two sections of the center as for example between the approach section and a seating area. The light panel may be a separate element or may be disposed in an edge portion of one section. The light panel includes a longitudinally extending high density translucent polyethylene light receiving support member having a longitudinally extending groove and a snap-in cover. It also includes a plurality of lights disposed in the groove and under the cover. A source of electricity and controller are provided for illuminating the panel to provide one or more visual patterns. The panel is also constructed and dimensioned to withstand the impact of a dropped or lofted bowling ball and to provide a source of light on up to three sides thereof.

1 . An approach section for a bowling center of the type having a plurality of side-by-side bowling alleys each of which includes an approach section, a lane section and a foul line separating the approach section and the lane section, said approach section comprising: 
 a generally rectangular synthetic panel having a generally horizontal longitudinal axis which is generally parallel with a lane section of said alleys, a generally horizontal transverse axis which is generally parallel to the foul line and a third axis which is perpendicular to said longitudinal and transverse axes, said panel extending across a plurality of adjacent lane sections, and a seating area adjacent to said approach section;    independent illumination means for separately illuminating a portion of said approach section, and light receiving support means for supporting said illumination means between said approach section and said seating area; and    wherein said generally rectangular panel includes an upper and a lower surface and an elongated groove along one side thereof between said approach section and said seating area and in which said plurality of lights is disposed within said groove.    
   
   
       2 . The approach section for a bowling center according to  claim 1 , in which said means for illuminating a portion of said approach section includes a plurality of lights disposed on one side of said generally rectangular synthetic panel.  
   
   
       3 . (canceled)  
   
   
       4 . The approach section for a bowling center according to  claim 2 , in which said plurality of lights is a rope light.  
   
   
       5 . The approach section for a bowling center according to  claim 2 , in which said plurality of lights are light emitting diodes.  
   
   
       6 . The approach section for a bowling center according to  claim 2 , in which said elongated groove is formed in said upper surface along one side of said approach section and which includes an elongated translucent cover over said groove to protect said plurality of lights.  
   
   
       7 . The approach section for a bowling center according to  claim 2 , in which said elongated groove is along one side of said section between said upper and said lower surface and which includes a translucent cover over said groove to protect said plurality of lights.  
   
   
       8 . The approach section for a bowling center according to  claim 1 , in which said means for illuminating a portion of said approach section includes a luminescent material, a source of UV light and means for directing UV light onto said luminescent material.  
   
   
       9 . The approach section for a bowling center according to  claim 8 , in which said generally rectangular synthetic panel includes an upper surface and said luminescent material is applied as a coating on said upper surface.  
   
   
       10 . The approach section for a bowling center according to  claim 8 , in which said generally rectangular synthetic panel includes said luminescent material incorporated therein.  
   
   
       11 . The approach section for a bowling center according to  claim 6 , in which said groove and said translucent cover each define a first and second beveled edge and wherein the beveled edge of said grooves are constructed and dimensioned so that said cover snaps into said groove and is maintained in place thereby.  
   
   
       12 . The approach section for a bowling center according to  claim 7 , in which said groove and said translucent cover each define a first and second beveled edge and wherein the beveled edge of said grooves are constructed and dimensioned so that said cover snaps into said groove and is maintained in place thereby.  
   
   
       13 . The approach section for a bowling center according to  claim 2 , which includes means for lighting said plurality of lights in a predetermined pattern.  
   
   
       14 . In a bowling center of the type having a plurality of side-by-side bowling alleys each of which includes an approach section having a horizontal upward surface, a seating area behind said approach section, a plurality of lane sections, and a plurality of foul lines separating said approach sections and said lane sections, the improvement comprising: 
 a separate longitudinally extending generally rectangular light receiving support member having a generally horizontal longitudinally extending axis which is perpendicular to a plurality of alleys and a length which is greater than the width of said plurality of alleys, said panel separating said approach section and said seating area and having an upper surface which is flush with said upper surface of said approach section;    independent means for separately illuminating a portion of said panel and further comprising a plurality of lights extending along a substantial portion of a length of said panel; and    wherein said panel includes a longitudinally extending groove along one side thereof and in which said plurality of lights are disposed in said groove.    
   
   
       15 . (canceled)  
   
   
       16 . A bowling center according to  claim 14 , in which said lights are a rope light of incandescent bulbs.  
   
   
       17 . A bowling center according to  claim 14 , in which said lights are light emitting diodes.  
   
   
       18 . (canceled)  
   
   
       19 . A bowling center according to  claim 17 , which includes a longitudinally extending translucent cover which can withstand the impact of a dropped bowling ball over said grooves.  
   
   
       20 . A bowling center according to  claim 19 , in which said longitudinally extending panel and said translucent cover each define first and second beveled edges and which are constructed and dimensioned to snap together and to be held in place by said beveled edges.  
   
   
       21 . An illuminated light panel for a bowling center of the type having a plurality of side-by-side bowling alleys each of which includes an approach section having a horizontal upper surface, a seating section, a plurality of lane sections and a plurality of foul lines separating said approach sections and said lane sections, the improvement comprising: 
 a longitudinally extending high density translucent polyethylene light receiving support member having first and second surfaces and first and second edges between said surfaces, said support member defining a groove in one of said surfaces and said groove disposed relatively close to one of said edges;    a plurality of lights disposed in said groove, and a snap-in translucent high density polyethylene cover disposed over said lights and means for maintaining said cover over said lights to thereby close said groove and wherein said light receiving support member and said cover are capable of withstanding an impact by a dropped or lofted bowling ball; and    means for illuminating said lights and means for controlling the illumination of said lights to thereby form a light panel which is capable of various visual effects.    
   
   
       22 . A light panel according to  claim 20 , where said light panel extends upwardly above said two sections so that said panel is illuminated on three sides thereof.  
   
   
       23 . A light panel according to  claim 21 , wherein said translucent high density polyethylene member is in its natural color.  
   
   
       24 . A light panel according to  claim 22 , in which said panel has a thickness of about one inch, a groove of about ⅞ inch depth and a cover about ⅛ inch thickness and wherein said groove is disposed about one inch below a top edge of said support member.