Bowling scoring apparatus and programming system therefor

Abstract

1. A machine for calculating and printing score information of a bowling game wherein balls are bowled to knock down pins during each of a succession of scoring frames comprising: a plurality of accumulators, each corresponding to a bowler, adapted to receive, accumulate and store score values for the corresponding bowlers; a plurality of groups of elements positionable to represent score information, each group corresponding to a bowler; predetermined ones of said elements in each said group adapted to selectively enter score values into the accumulator for the corresponding bowler; means for printing score information and score values including a plurality of positionable printing members each carrying a plurality of score indicia adapted to be selectively positioned; means for selectively entering into the printing means score information from the elements to position the corresponding printing members to print corresponding score information; means for entering into the printing means score values from the accumulator to position the corresponding printing members to print score values; and means for actuating said printing means for printing the score information and score values entered in said printing means.

I claim: 
     
       1. A machine for calculating and printing score information of a bowling game wherein balls are bowled to knock down pins during each of a succession of scoring frames comprising: a plurality of accumulators, each corresponding to a bowler, adapted to receive, accumulative and store score values for the corresponding bowlers; a plurality of groups of elements positionable to represent score information, each group corresponding to a bowler; predetermined ones of said elements in each said group adapted to selectively enter score values into the accumulator for the corresponding bowler; means for printing score information and score values including a plurality of positionable printing members each carrying a plurality of score indicia adapted to be selectively positioned; means for selectively entering into the printing means score information from the elements to position the corresponding printing members to print corresponding score information; means for entering into the printing means score values from the accumulator to position the corresponding printing members to print score values; and means for actuating said printing means for printing the score information and score values entered in said printing means. 
     
     
       2. A machine as in claim 1 wherein there is provided a single printing means; and means for bringing said printing means into cooperative relationship with the positionable element group of a selected bowler. 
     
     
       3. A machine as in claim 2 wherein said positionable element groups are in side-by-side relationship and said printing means is moved transversely across the same for cooperation with the selected group. 
     
     
       4. A machine as in claim 2 wherein said accumulators include accumulator gears; and wherein said positionable elements comprise a plurality of groups of rack carriers positionable to represent score information, predetermined ones of said rack carriers including accumulator racks and all of said carriers including information racks; accumulator racks in each group adapted to selectively enter score values into the corresponding accumulator by engaging the accumulator gears; and means for selectively engaging the information racks to enter into the printing means information carried by the rack carriers to position the printing members to print corresponding score information. 
     
     
       5. A machine as in claim 1 including means adapted to carry a score sheet: and means for controlling the relative position of the score sheet and printing members whereby the score information is correctly positioned by frame on the sheet. 
     
     
       6. A machine as in claim 1 in which said positionable elements comprise a plurality of groups of rack carriers, each group corresponding to a bowler; and in which said printing means is carried on a movable carriage adapted to bring the printing means into cooperative relationship with the rack carrier group of a selected bowler to be positioned by the corresponding positionable rack carrier. 
     
     
       7. A machine as in claim 1 in which the score information is printed on a score sheet by moving the printing means in an arc about a pivot point and means are provided for controlling the radial position of said printing means with respect to the pivot point to print score information in the correct frame position. 
     
     
       8. A machine as in claim 7 in which said printing means are mounted for linear movement with respect to the pivot point and a stop means is provided for controlling the position of the printing means linearly. 
     
     
       9. A machine as in claim 8 wherein said printing means is normally positioned to print information in the frame being bowled, and means are provided for moving the stop means to print score information two frame positions back for the first ball following two successive strikes and serve to position the stop means to print score information one frame back for the first ball following a spare or the second ball following a strike. 
     
     
       10. A machine as in claim 7 in which said printing means is normally in a position to print information in the current frame, and wherein means are provided for translation of said printing means to print two frames back if the frame score so requires and one frame back if the frame score so requires. 
     
     
       11. A machine for calculating and printing scores of a bowling game wherein balls are bowled to knock down pins during each of a succession of scoring frames comprising: six elements positionable to represent score values; said elements including a special information element, first ball and second ball elements and accumulator elements; means responsive to special information for controlling the position of the special element; means responsive to first and second ball information for controlling the positioning of the first and second ball elements and at least one of said accumulator elements; a plurality of accumulators each corresponding to a bowler adapted to receive, accumulate and store score values of a corresponding bowler, said accumulator elements adapted to selectively enter score values into the accumulators; means for printing score information and score values including six printing members each adapted to be selectively positioned to print indicia, the first of said printing members serving to print special information, the second and third of said printing members serving to print first and second ball information, and the other of said printing members serving to print score values; means for selectively connecting said elements to said members and driving said members to position the printing members to print indicia corresponding to the scoring information and score values; and means for printing indicia from said printing members. 
     
     
       12. A machine for calculating and printing on a score sheet score information of a bowling game wherein balls are bowled to knock down pins during each of a succession of scoring frames comprising: a plurality of elements mounted for movement including at least a first ball element and a second ball element; means responsive to first and second ball information for controlling the movement of the first and second ball elements; an accumulator for a bowler adapted to receive, accumulate and store score values for the bowler; predetermined ones of said plurality of elements adapted to selectively enter score values into the accumulator; means for printing score information corresponding to first and second ball information; means for selectively driving said printing means in response to movement of said first and second ball elements to enter first and second ball information into the printing means to print indicia corresponding to first and second ball information; a translatable and rotatable means adapted to carry said printing means; means for translating said last named means relative to the axis of rotation to position the printing means to print in a correct frame position; and means for rotating said printing means about a pivot to swing through an arc to bring the printing means into cooperative relationship with the score sheet to print score values thereon. 
     
     
       13. A machine as in claim 12 including a plurality of groups of said elements, each element comprising a rack carrier, a plurality of said accumulators each corresponding to a bowler, and a carriage serving to carry said printing means and adapted to be moved whereby it is placed in cooperative relationship with a selected group of rack carriers. 
     
     
       14. A machine for calculating scores of a bowling game wherein normally first and second balls are bowled to knock down pins during each of a succession of scoring frames comprising: a plurality of groups of six rack carriers mounted for movement, said groups of rack carriers including a special information rack carrier, first and second ball rack carriers and accumulator rack carriers; slides extending .[.tansversely.]. .Iadd.transversely .Iaddend.of said groups of rack carriers responsive to special information for controlling the movement of the special rack carrier of each group and responsive to first and second ball information for controlling the movement of the first and second ball rack carriers of each group, and at least one of said accumulator rack carriers; and a plurality of accumulators each corresponding to a bowler adapted to receive, accumulate and store score values of a corresponding bowler, said accumulator rack carriers adapted to selectively enter score values into the accumulator. 
     
     
       15. A machine as in claim 14 in which there are provided means responsive to entry of score information for positioning said slides. 
     
     
       16. In an apparatus for computing scores of a bowling game wherein balls are rolled by each of a plurality of players during each of successive scoring frames to earn cumulative score values based upon .Iadd.each player's .Iaddend.pinfall resulting from the rolling of said balls .Iadd.by the respective player.Iaddend., means for selecting predetermined players .Iadd.to bowl in a sequence.Iaddend., means for computing and registering the score of selected players, means for entering pinfall information into the apparatus, means for automatically conditioning the apparatus to compute and register the score of the next selected player .Iadd.in said sequence based on the next selected player's pinfall .Iaddend.as each player completes a frame, and .Iadd.manual .Iaddend.means for overriding said selecting means whereby to condition the apparatus to compute .Iadd.and register .Iaddend.the frame score of a particular .[.bowler.]. .Iadd.player based on the particular player's pinfall, to allow the particular player to bowl out of said sequence.Iaddend., said automatic conditioning means .[.conditioning.]. .Iadd.without manual intervention automatically causing .Iaddend.the apparatus to compute and register the score of the next selected .[.bowler.]. .Iadd.player in said sequence based on said next selected player's pinfall as a result of operation of said manual means so as to cause automatic return of said apparatus to said sequence .Iaddend.following the computation of the particular .[.bowler.]. .Iadd.player's .Iaddend.score. 
     
     
       17. An apparatus as in claim 16 further including a team score totalizer; said means for selecting predetermined players and said overriding means comprising player switches each corresponding to a bowler and settable to condition the apparatus for team scoring wherein a player's cumulative scores are applied to the team score totalizer, and open player or substitute bowler scoring wherein player cumulative scores are not applied to the team score totalizer, said player switches further being settable to bypass a player. 
     
     
       18. A bowling score system of the type adapted to compute scores of a bowling game in response to pinfall information resulting from the rolling of balls by one or more players during a succession of scoring frames including means for detecting the pinfall resulting from the rolling of balls and forming a signal representative of the pinfall, computing means, programming means including a keyboard for controlling the operation of and entry of pinfall signals into the computing means, said keyboard including a plurality of player activating switches positionable to control the operation of the computing system, each of said switches having a first position for selecting players and conditioning the system for entry of selected bowlers pinfall signals in sequence into the computing means for computing a player's cumulative score, a team totalizer, the cumulative score of a bowler corresponding to a switch in the first position being entered in the totalizing means, each of said switches having a second position where a player is bypassed, and each of said switches having a third position for entry of substitute bowlers pinfall signals into the computing means to compute the players' cumulative score but inhibiting entry of the score into the team totalizer. 
     
     
       19. A computing system as in claim 18 wherein successive frames of a bowler are bowled in adjacent alleys and successive games are bowled normal and cross-lane .Iadd.in which said programming means includes additionally .Iaddend.means for indicating normal or cross-lane to a returning .[.in which said programming means includes additionally.]. bypassed bowler. 
     
     
       20. A system for scoring bowling games wherein balls are rolled during each of a succession of scoring frames to earn cumulative score values based upon pinfall resulting from rolling of balls, in combination, means for establishing pinfall values resulting from the rolling of balls, means responsive to said value-establishing means for automatically computing successive cumulative frame-by-frame scores resulting from the pinfall value, means for detecting the occurrence of a foul and providing a foul signal, means responsive to the foul signal for stopping the computation means pending verification of the foul, manually operable means for alternatively verifying or denying the validity of the foul signal, and means responsive to the verification means for setting the computation means into operation in response to either a foul verification or a foul denial signal. 
     
     
       21. In an apparatus for computing and recording scores of a bowling game wherein balls are rolled by a plurality of bowlers during successive scoring frames to earm cumulative scores corresponding to completion of the frames based upon pinfall resulting from the rolling of said balls, in combination, means for establishing pinfall values, means responsive to the value-establishing means for computing cumulative scores bowler by bowler based upon pinfall values, means for supporting a score sheet having a plurality of parallel bowler lines each having a plurality of frame spaces each including a cumulative score area and first and second ball pinfall values areas means responsive to the value-establishing means and to the computing means for printing first and second ball pinfall values in the first and second ball pinfall value areas and for printing cumulative scores in the cumulative score areas, and means mounting the printing means for movement to register the same with the frame spaces of successive bowler lines in a frame. 
     
     
       22. A combination as defined in claim 21, including a carriage supporting the printing means, means mounting the carriage to swing about a pivot axis to print information on the score sheet, and means mounting the carriage for adjustment longitudinally of the pivot axis to register the printing means with successive bowler lines in a frame. 
     
     
       23. In an apparatus for computing and recording scores of a bowling game wherein balls are rolled during successive scoring frames to earn cumulative scores corresponding to completion of the frames based upon pinfall resulting from the rolling of said balls, in combination, means for establishing pinfall values, means responsive to the value-establishing means for computing cumulative scores frame by frame based upon pinfall values, means for supporting a score sheet having a plurality of parallel bowler lines each having a plurality of frame spaces each including a cumulative score area and first and second pinfall value areas, means responsive to the computing means for printing first and second ball pinfall values in the first and second pinfall areas and for printing cumulative scores, and means mounting the printing means for movement to register the same with successive frame spaces in a bowler line. 
     
     
       24. A combination as defined in claim 23 including a carriage supporting the printing means, means mounting the carriage to swing about a pivot axis for printing information on the score sheet, and means mounting the carriage for adjustment radially of the pivot axis to register the printing means with successive frame spaces in a bowler line. 
     
     
       25. In an apparatus for computing and recording scores of a bowling game wherein balls are rolled by a plurality of bowlers during successive scoring frames to earn cumulative scores corresponding to completion of the frames based upon pinfall resulting from the rolling of said balls, in combination, means for establishing pinfall values, means responsive to the value-establishing means for computing cumulative scores frame by frame based upon pinfall values, means for supporting a score sheet having a plurality of parallel bowler lines each having a plurality of frame spaces each including a cumulative score area and first and second ball pinfall value areas, means responsive to the value-establishing means and to the computing means for printing first and second ball pinfall values in the first and second ball pinfall value areas and for printing cumulative scores in the cumulative score areas, means mounting the printing means for movement to register the same with successive bowler lines, and means mounting the printing means for movement to register the printing means with successive frame spaces in a bowler line. 
     
     
       26. A combination as defined in claim 25 including a carriage supporting the printing means, means mounting the carriage to swing about a pivot axis to print information on the score sheet, means mounting the carriage for adjustment longitudinally of the pivot axis to register the pinning means with successive bowler lines, and means mounting the carriage for adjustment radially of the pivot axis to register the printing means with successive frame spaces in a bowler line. 
     
     
       27. In an apparatus for scoring bowling games wherein balls are rolled during each of successive scoring frames to earn cumulative score values based upon pinfall resulting from the rolling of said balls, in combination, means for computing the cumulative frame scores resulting from a player's pinfall, pin detecting means providing a signal representative of pinfall, means for entering into the computing means said signal representing pinfall, means for canceling erroneous pinfall information entered into said apparatus, means for manually entering correct frame score information, and means for inhibiting the entry of pinfall information during cancellation and until pinfall has been manually entered. 
     
     
       28. In an apparatus for computing the bowling scores for a plurality of bowlers bowling as a team and for computing a score of the team, the combination of: means for receiving pinfall information relative to each of said plurality of bowlers and for computing bowling scores therefrom; and manually and selectively operable means for alternatively providing error correction information to said receiving and computing means for correcting an error in a bowling score computed thereby and for providing handicap information to said receiving and computing means whereby a handicap value will be included in a team score computed thereby, said manually and selectively operable means comprising means for providing cumulative score information, means for providing frame information, and means for providing pinfall information, said cumulative score information providing means being usable to provide handicap information: and printing means responsive to said receiving and computing means and said manually and selectively operable means for printing pinfall information and cumulative scores computed by said receiving and computing means. 
     
     
       29. The bowling scoring apparatus of claim 28 wherein said printing means is operable to print bowling scores at different locations on a score sheet, each location corresponding to one of said plurality of bowlers, and said manually and selectively operable means further includes means for causing said printing means to be placed in readiness to print at the location corresponding to the bowler whose bowling score is to be corrected. 
     
     
       30. In a bowling scoring system, the combination comprising: (a) means for supporting a bowling score sheet having at least one vertically oriented player column which has a plurality of frame spaces arranged from top to bottom on the sheet each including a cumulative score area and first and second pinfall value areas;   (b) means for receiving pinfall information;   (c) means responsive to said receiving means for computing a bowler's successive cumulative scores for each frame in a bowling game, including bonus valuesfor .[.stikes.]. .Iadd.strikes .Iaddend.and spares;   (d) printing means reponsive to said computing means for printing first and second ball pinfall values in the first and second pinfall areas and for printing the computed cumulative scores in tabular form on said cumulative score areas on the score sheet;   (e) means for relatively moving said supporting means and said printing means in a direction to relatively advance the printing means and supporting means parallel to said column; and   (f) control means for said moving means to cause relative positioning of said printing means and said supporting means whereby the printing of successive cumulative scores in the successive cumulative score areas may be effected.   
     
     
       31. A bowling scoring system according to claim 30 adapted to compute and print the scores of a plurality of players on a score sheet having a plurality of additional player columns parallel to said one player column wherein said computing means is further operative to compute cumulative scores for each of the plurality of players and said printing means includes means whereby cumulative scores may be printed in any of said player columns; said system further including means for causing the printing means to selectively print cumulative scores in successive player columns. 
     
     
       32. The bolwing scoring system of claim 30 wherein said supporting means is stationary mounted and said printing means is movably mounted. 
     
     
       33. A bowling scoring system according to claim 30 wherein said printing means includes at least one printer mounted for pivotal movement toward said supporting means about an axis parallel to the score sheet and transverse to the column to print on said score sheet, said printer including type means for printing at least a three-digit cumulative score in a cumulative score area on said score sheet with the digits of a cumulative score being arranged consecutively in a line parallel to said pivot axis; and means for pivoting said printer toward said score sheet.