Variable speed transfer roller for bowling lane dressing apparatus

• US 5,161,277 A
• Filed: 10/15/1991
• Issued: 11/10/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AMF Bowling Centers Incorporated (AMF Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AMF Bowling Centers Incorporated (AMF Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ingermann, Donald E., Smith, Ronald L.
• Primary Examiner(s): ROBERTS JR, EDWARD
• Application Number:
  US07/775,841
• Time in Patent Office: 392 Days
• Field of Search: 15/4, 15/98, 15/103.5, 118/262
• US Class Current: 15/98
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/282 having rotary tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4008 Arrangements of switches, indicators or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4069 Driving or transmission means for the cleaning tools
• CPC Class Codes: A63D 5/10 Apparatus for cleaning balls, pins, or alleys

Abstract

In accordance with this invention, a bowling lane dressing apparatus is provided which has a carriage for movement along the bowling lane between the foul line and the pit. Drive wheels are rotatably mounted on the carriage for moving the carriage along the bowling lane by means of drive means connected thereto. A lane buffer roller is journaled on the carriage in lane-contacting relation which extends transversely to the direction of travel. A reservoir is mounted in the carriage for storage of lane-dressing fluid. A transfer roller is mounted in rolling engagement with the lane buffer roller and in fluid communication with the reservoir for transferring fluid from the reservoir to the lane buffing roller. Variable speed drive means is connected to the transfer roller for rotating it at variable speeds to vary the rate of transfer of fluid from the reservoir to the lane buffer roller.

Claims

1. A bowling lane dressing apparatus comprising:

a carriage for movement along a bowling alley between a foul line and pit;

drive wheels rotatably mounted on said carriage in lane-contacting relation and extending transversely to the direction of travel;

a reservoir in said carriage for the storage of lane-dressing fluid;

a lane buffer roller journaled on said carriage for rotation with its surface in lane-contacting relation to transfer lane dressing fluid to the bowling alley;

a transfer roller mounted in rolling engagement with said lane buffer roller and in fluid communication with said reservoir for transferring fluid from said reservoir to said lane buffer roller; and

variable speed drive means connected to said transfer roller for rotating it at variable speeds to vary the rate of transfer of fluid from said reservoir to said lane buffer roller.

2. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said variable speed drive means comprises:

a variable speed motor mounted on said carriage connected to said transfer roller to rotate said transfer roller at a speed relative to the speed of rotation of said variable speed motor; and

a variable resistor connected to said variable speed motor for varying the speed of said variable speed motor.

3. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

the speed of said variable speed motor is variable between 40 rpm and 100 rpm.

4. A bowling lane dressing apparatus comprising:

a carriage for movement along a bowling alley between a foul line and pit;

drive wheels rotatably mounted on said carriage in lane-contacting relation and extending transversely to the direction of travel;

a reservoir in said carriage for the storage of lane-dressing fluid;

a lane buffer roller journaled on said carriage for rotation with its surface in lane-contacting relation to transfer lane dressing fluid to the bowling alley;

a transfer roller mounted in rolling engagement with said lane buffer roller and in fluid communication with said reservoir for transferring fluid from said reservoir to said lane buffer roller;

a first drive means connected to said drive wheels for rotating the same to move said carriage along the bowling alley;

a second drive means for rotating said lane buffer roller; and

variable speed drive means connected to said transfer roller for rotating it at variable speeds to vary the rate of transfer of fluid from said reservoir to said lane buffer roller.

5. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 4, wherein said variable speed drive means comprises:

a variable speed motor mounted on said carriage connected to said transfer roller to rotate said transfer roller at a speed relative to the speed of rotation of said variable speed motor; and

a variable resistor connected to said variable speed motor for varying the speed of said variable speed motor.

6. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

the speed of said variable speed motor is variable between 40 rpm and 100 rpm.