Distributor Indexing Device

Abstract

A distribution indexing device ( 50, 60 ) is attachable to bowling pin-setting machines and replaces certain mechanical components within the distributing mechanism ( 10 ) that are prone to wear and require constant maintenance. The device ( 50, 60 ) includes a drive structure ( 50 ) and an electrical contact structure ( 60 ). The drive structure ( 50 ) is attachable to the distributing mechanism ( 10 ) such that a drive gear ( 54 ) engages an indexing gear ( 42 ). The contact structure ( 60 ) includes two contacts ( 64, 66 ), one ( 64 ) that is attachable to a stationary component ( 15 ) of the distributing mechanism ( 10 ) and one ( 66 ) that is attachable to a moving component ( 26 ) of the distributing mechanism ( 10 ). As a bowling pin (P) is lowered into a pin magazine ( 4 ) by trip arms ( 22 ), the arms ( 22 ) cause the movable contact ( 66 ) to engage the stationary contact ( 64 ), thus generating an electrical signal to the drive structure ( 50 ). Following a short time delay, the drive structure ( 50 ) moves the indexing gear ( 42 ) a pre-determined amount such that the indexing cams ( 44 ) are allowed to function as intended.

1 . A distribution indexing device ( 50 ,  60 ) for use with a bowling pin distributing mechanism ( 10 ), the mechanism ( 10 ) being provided for conveying and delivering bowling pins (P) from a receiving area to a magazine ( 4 ) and comprising an elongate conveyor ( 12 ) that is movable back and forth laterally above the magazine ( 4 ) by a first cam ( 44 ) and is movable longitudinally above the magazine ( 4 ) by a second cam ( 44 ), the first and second cams ( 44 ) each being located to one side of an indexing gear ( 42 ), which comprises
 a drive structure ( 50 ) that is secured to the distributing mechanism ( 10 ), the drive structure ( 50 ) being electrically actuated and having a pinion drive gear ( 54 ) that is engagable with the indexing gear ( 42 ), and   a contact structure ( 60 ) that is secured to the distributing mechanism ( 10 ), to open and close an electrical circuit for actuating the drive structure ( 50 ) and to move the indexing gear( 42 ) according to a pre-programmed scheme.   
   
   
       2 . The distribution indexing device ( 50 ,  60 ) of  claim 1  wherein the distributing mechanism ( 10 ) further includes a distal end ( 14 ) and a pair of rotatable arms ( 22 ) located at the distal end ( 14 ) and means for opening and closing the contact structure ( 66 ) upon rotation of the arms ( 22 ). 
   
   
       3 . The distribution indexing device ( 50 ,  60 ) of  claim 2  wherein the distributing mechanism ( 10 ) further includes a movable connecting rod ( 26 ) and the contact structure ( 60 ) opening and closing means includes a first contact member ( 64 ) that is attached to the distributing mechanism ( 10 ) and a second contact member ( 66 ) that is movable by means of the movable connecting rod ( 26 ). 
   
   
       4 . A distribution indexing device ( 50 ,  60 ) for use with a bowling pin distributing mechanism ( 10 ), the mechanism ( 10 ) being used to convey and deliver bowling pins (P) from a receiving area to a magazine ( 4 ) and comprising an elongate cantilevered conveyor ( 12 ) and an indexing gear ( 42 ), the indexing gear ( 42 ) carrying a first cam ( 44 ) and a second cam ( 44 ) on opposite sides of the indexing gear ( 42 ) wherein the first and second cams ( 44 ) cause movement of the conveyor ( 12 ) back and forth and inwardly and outwardly above the magazine ( 4 ) in accordance with a pre-determined delivery pattern, which comprises
 a drive structure ( 50 ) that is secured to the distributing mechanism ( 10 ), the drive structure ( 50 ) being electrically actuated and having a pinion drive gear ( 54 ) that is engagable with the indexing gear ( 42 ), and   a contact structure ( 60 ) that is secured to the distributing mechanism ( 10 ), to open and close an electrical circuit for actuating the drive structure ( 50 ) and to move the indexing gear ( 42 ) according to the pre-determined delivery pattern.   
   
   
       5 . The distribution indexing device ( 50 ,  60 ) of  claim 4  wherein the distributing mechanism ( 10 ) further includes a distal end ( 14 ) and a pair of arms ( 22 ) located at the distal end ( 14 ), the arms ( 22 ) being configured to receive a bowling pin (P) between them and further being configured to rotate downwardly under the weight of the pin (P), and including means for closing the contact structure ( 60 ) upon downward rotation of the arms ( 22 ) and means for opening the contact structure ( 60 ) upon return of the arms ( 22 ) to their non-load position. 
   
   
       6 . The distribution indexing device ( 50 ,  60 ) of  claim 5  wherein the distributing mechanism ( 10 ) further includes a movable connecting rod ( 26 ) and the contact structure opening and closing means includes a first contact member ( 64 ) that is attached to the distributing mechanism ( 10 ) and a second contact member ( 66 ) that is movable by means of the movable connecting rod ( 26 ). 
   
   
       7 . The distribution indexing device ( 50 ,  60 ) of  claim 6  wherein the electric circuit is solid state and includes a time-delay prior to actuation of the pinion gear drive ( 54 ). 
   
   
       8 . In a bowling pin-spotting machine having a pin elevator ( 6 ) for conveying pins (P) from the pit of a bowling lane to a distributing mechanism ( 10 ) for distributing pins (P) received from the elevator ( 6 ) to a conveyor ( 12 ) and means for effecting the controlled movement of the conveyor ( 12 ) back and forth and inwardly and outwardly above a pin magazine ( 4 ) for the controlled delivery of pins (P) to the magazine ( 4 ), the control means including a first cam ( 44 ) disposed to one side of an indexing gear ( 42 ) and a second cam ( 44 ) disposed to the other side of the indexing gear ( 42 ), a distribution indexing device ( 50 ,  60 ) which comprises
 a drive structure ( 50 ) that is secured to the distributing mechanism ( 10 ), the drive structure ( 50 ) being electrically actuated and having a pinion drive gear ( 54 ) that is engagable with the indexing gear ( 42 ),   an electrical circuit for actuating the drive structure ( 50 ), and   a contact structure ( 60 ) that is secured to the distributing mechanism ( 10 ) to open and close the electrical circuit for actuating the drive structure ( 60 ) and to move the indexing gear ( 42 ) according to a pre-programmed scheme.   
   
   
       9 . The distribution indexing device ( 50 ,  60 ) of  claim 8  wherein the distributing mechanism ( 10 ) further includes a distal end ( 14 ) and a pair of rotatable arms ( 22 ) located at the distal end ( 14 ) and means for opening and closing the contact structure ( 60 ) upon rotation of the arms ( 22 ). 
   
   
       10 . The distribution indexing device ( 50 ,  60 ) of  claim 9  wherein the distributing mechanism ( 10 ) further includes a movable connecting rod ( 26 ) and the contact structure opening and closing means includes a first contact member ( 64 ) that is attached to the distributing mechanism ( 10 ) and a second contact member ( 66 ) that is movable by means of the movable connecting rod ( 26 ). 
   
   
       11 . The distribution indexing device ( 50 ,  60 ) of  claim 10  wherein the electric circuit is solid state and includes a time-delay prior to actuation of the pinion gear drive ( 54 ).